Title page for ETD etd-01292004-023425

Type of Document

Dissertation

Author

Santa-Maria, Maria L.

Author's Email Address

msanta@sfccnm.edu

URN

etd-01292004-023425

Title

Posttraumatic Stress Among Latin American Immigrants: Implication for Family Separations and Disruption of Attachments

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Family and Child Sciences, Department of

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name	Title
Thomas Cornille	Committee Chair
ann mullis	Committee Member
mary hicks	Committee Member
roberto fernandez	Committee Member

Keywords

Immigrants
Central Americans
South Americans Ptsd
Posttraumatic Stress
Latin American
Refugees
Family Separations
Attachment

Date of Defense

2003-12-03

Availability

unrestricted

Abstract

This study investigated posttraumatic stress, famaily separations and attachment among Latin American immigrants, who were either separated or not separated from family when they immigrated from their native countries. Voluntary participants (n = 82)from 13 countries responded to the Posttraumatic Stress diagnostic Scale and the Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire - Revised. Thirty seven peercent of participants had left family behind, either parents (while they were minors), children or spouses in their native countries. There were no differences in traumatic stress symptoms or severity associated with family separation. However,the total sample had a higher incidence of PTSD (22%)than the general population. Those who immigrated as minors had an even higher incidence of PTSD (38%). The majority of participants with such a diagnosis presented with a delayed onset of the condition. The most bothersome kind of traumatic event was exposure to violence. There were no differences on attachment related avoidance, but the family separated group scored significantly higher on attachment related anxiety than the non-separated group. Attachment related avoidance was significantly related to marital status. Finally, implications for clinical practice and further research were discussed.

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