Burmese political dissidents in Thailand: Trauma and survival among young adults in exile

K. Allden, C. Poole, S. Chantavanich, K. Ohmar, N.N. Aung and R.F. Mollica

American Journal of Public Health, 1996, vol. 86, issue 11, 1561-1569

Abstract: Objectives. This study assessed the self-reported mental health, physical health, and social functioning of young adult political exiles and relates their psychiatric symptoms to their trauma and survival strategies. Methods. A 1992/93 survey of Burmese who fled to Bangkok, Thailand, after participating in a 1988 uprising against Burma's government elicited information on employment, education, disability, trauma, survival strategies, and depressive and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Results. The 104 participants reported a mean of 30 trauma events, including interrogation (89%), imprisonment (78%), threats of deportation (70%), and torture (38%). Many reported poor health and lack of social supports, but few reported substantial social disability. The prevalence of elevated symptom scores was 38% for depressive symptoms and 23% for criterion symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Symptoms of avoidance and of increased arousal were the most strongly related to cumulative trauma. Two survival strategies, camaraderie and a Buddhist concept of self-confidence (weria), were associated with somewhat reduced levels of both classes of symptoms. Conclusions. Burmese political exiles in Thailand are young adults adversely affected by severe trauma. Their psychosocial well-being may deteriorate further without legal protections to reduce the continuing stress and violence.

Date: 1996
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1996:86:11:1561-1569_6

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