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This pilot study investigated the prevalence of physical and sexual abuse, and current levels of psychological distress correlated with a history of abuse, in 102 Vietnamese Amerasian adults bound for the United States. A history of abuse was reported by 22% of males and 18% of females. Significant psychological distress was reported by abused males. (Author/DB)

I. INTRODUCTION When Canada and the United States signed the Pacific Salmon Agreement on June 30, 1999, they hoped that it would put an end to the pattern of bickering, [...]

This study of children in grades five and six assessed the relationship between social and stress/coping motives and students' intentions to drink in junior high school. Whereas the two motives were not seen as separate by fifth graders, they were differentiated by sixth graders, for whom they were associated- social motives more strongly than stress/coping motives- with intentions to use alcohol. Implications for the design and timing of prevention programs are considered.

Gordon R. Munro, an economist at the University of British Columbia, is the author (with Veijo Kaitala) of 'The Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources,' Natural Resource Modeling, [...]

A pilot study of the prevalence rate of DSM-III psychiatric disorders among Vietnamese Amerasians prior to migration from Vietnam found current prevalence of such disorders to be lower than previously reported among Vietnamese refugees in the United States and Australia. Methodological and cultural factors contributing to the lower than expected prevalence rate are discussed, and implications for clinical assessments and future research are noted.

This study prospectively evaluates the relationship between unaccompanied status and levels of psychological distress in a group of Vietnamese Amerasians both prior to, and during, migration. Its objective was to determine whether unaccompanied migrant status functions as an independent post-departure risk factor for psychological distress, or if unaccompanied migrants are already at increased risk for, and have higher levels of, psychological distress prior to departure and the acquisition of unaccompanied status. Seventy-five Vietnamese Amerasian youth were evaluated at two points during their migration utilizing Felsman's Personal Information Form, the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25, and the Youth Self-Report. The first assessment was conducted prior to migration at the Amerasian Transit Center in Vietnam, and the second during migration at the Philippine Refugee Processing Center. Unaccompanied Amerasians were found to have significantly higher risk levels for, and significantly more symptoms of, psychological distress prior to migration than accompanied Amerasians. During migration the difference in levels of psychological distress between accompanied and unaccompanied Amerasians increased beyond that attributable to predeparture risk levels alone. This significant differential increase in levels of psychological distress among unaccompanied Amerasians is attributable to unaccompanied status. Unaccompanied migrant status thus appears to function both as an independent postdeparture risk factor for psychological distress and also as a marker for increased levels of risk and psychological distress prior to migration. Key words - unaccompanied migrants, risk factors, psychological distress