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An investigation of post-traumatic stress disorder in Central American refugees living in Tucson

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.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/276724
Date January 1988
CreatorsHendrickson-Pfeil, Sharon A., 1948-
ContributorsLauver, Philip J.
PublisherThe University of Arizona.
Source SetsUniversity of Arizona
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext, Thesis-Reproduction (electronic)
RightsCopyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.

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