The author reports on a survey of 97 Hmong adult refugees in the United
States. Thirty of these refugees showed symptoms of chronic maladjustment,
and 13 showed another DSM-III axis I disorder; two manifested a paranoid
psychosis, and six had a major depression. There were few axis II
diagnoses. Medical conditions were frequent and often psychophysiological
in nature, but they were not associated with axis I disorders. Axis IV
psychosocial stressors were not associated with axis I diagnoses, but
subjects with an axis I disorder tended to show lower adaptive levels on
axis V. The demographic condition most strongly associated with an axis I
diagnosis was current status as a welfare recipient.Abstract Teaser