The purpose of this study was to investigate post-traumatic stress disorder among Guatemalan and Salvadoran refugees living in Tucson, Arizona. The questions that guided the study were: (1) Does post-traumatic stress disorder exist among Central American refugees living in Tucson? (2) If so, how does it manifest itself in this population? (3) What counseling or other therapeutic interventions may be helpful for Central Americans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder? Six Guatemalan and Salvadoran refugees who had reportedly experienced major stressors participated in a semi-structured interview and responded to a health questionnaire based upon post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Findings indicate that five out of six participants were experiencing patterns of stress-induced symptoms which were consistent with a DSM III diagnosis of "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder". Recommendations for intervention with Central American individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder are presented.

Citizens of El Salvador and Guatemala have experienced life-threatening situations in their native lands that have forced them to make choices in order to survive. Those choices include coming to the United States in search of political asylum. Travelling through Mexico and arriving and settling in the United States require the use of a variety of adaptive strategies. By employing kinship and friendship networks, using community services, organizing voluntary associations, learning English, and compartmentalizing their own culture while being absorbed into the larger Mexican and Anglo cultures, they are able to meet their needs. Of those who come to Tucson, many leave due to difficulties in finding jobs and the lack of affordable legal aid. Those who stay do so because they are awaiting court dates, desire to remain close to their families or have been successful in finding work.

This review of the literature is third in a series of investigations into educational technology curriculum integration for the Tucson, Arizona office of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). It is a broad investigation into the theory, methods and delivery of supportive instructional materials to refugees via mobile learning. It examines current international program methods that will aid in design of U.S. mLearning programs to support the IRC’s mandated goal of promoting self-sufficiency for resettled refugees.