The Psychiatric Effects of Massive Trauma on Cambodian Children: I. The Children

J. DAVID KINZIE, WILLIAM H. SACK, RICHARD H. ANGELL, SPERO MANSON, BEN RATH

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

369 Scopus citations

Abstract

This report, which uses standardized interviews by psychiatrists, describes the psychiatric effects on 40 Cambodian high school students in the United States who suffered massive trauma from 1975 to 1979. They endured separation from family, forced labor and starvation, and witnessed many deaths because of the Pol Pot regime. After 2 years of living in refugee camps, they immigrated to the United States at about age 14. Four years after leaving Cambodia, 20 (50%) developed posttraumatic stress disorder; mild, but prolonged depressive symptoms were also common. Psychiatric effects were more common and more severe when the students did not reside with a family member.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)370-376
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry
Volume25
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1986

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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