This study examines the relationship between postmigration living difficulties (PMLDs), social support, and the mental health of Chin-Burmese refugees resettled in the United States. Data were collected from 242 respondents by means of survey through convenience and snowball sampling methods. Respondents completed self-report measures of postmigration problems, social support, and psychological distress. The mean age of respondents was 35.45 years; 53.3% were male, 79.3% were married, and 69% were employed. The mean years of residency in the United States was 5.63. Across the whole sample, 34.3% reported symptoms of psychological distress. More than one third of respondents reported experiencing difficulties in access to health care and social services. The most reported PMLDs were difficulties pertaining to communication, accessing health care, and worries about family back home. The number of PMLDs ( ϭ .39, p Ͻ .001) and perceived social support ( ϭ Ϫ.16, p Ͻ .01) significantly predicted psychological distress. Experiencing serious PMLDs significantly increases the risk of psychological distress. These findings demonstrated the importance of implementing appropriate and timely mental health interventions to effectively meet the needs of refugees as they adjust to the cultural life in the United States. A lack of attention to their mental health needs can translate to inadequate mental health care. Implications for practice are discussed.
What is the public significance of this article?This study explores the mental health of Chin-Burmese refugees in the United States. Findings revealed that higher levels of postmigration living difficulties made a significant contribution in explaining psychological distress among the study population. This suggests the need for mental health services and helping professionals to assist refugees in addressing the multifaceted problems experienced by refugees in their adaptation to the host country.
A skills-based intervention provides a promising approach to promoting abstinence from all substances and increasing readiness for employment for adults with traumatic brain injuries in outpatient settings.
The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of the distress thermometer (DT) and the accompanying problem checklist (PC) as a screening tool for psychological distress and the sources of those distress at an outpatient cancer treatment center in Central California. Forty-three patients completed the DT and the PC. Based on a recommended DT cutoff score of 4, patients were classified as "distressed" (>4) and "not-distressed" (<4). Respondents ranged in age from 34 to 87 years (mean = 60.44, SD = 12.05), the majority of whom were female (55.8%). The most common types of cancer diagnosis were breast cancer, followed by blood abnormality (i.e., blood disorders), lung, and bladder cancer. Based on the recommended DT cutoff score, 51% of patients were identified as significantly distressed. Results showed significant difference on DT score between the distressed and not-distressed groups, t(41) = -4.25, p < .001. The most commonly reported sources of distress were in the practical, emotional, and physical domains of the PC list. Routine distress screening can significantly help improve identification of distress and the sources of the distress in cancer patients and enable healthcare professionals to facilitate appropriate psychosocial support and referrals. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.