A DECADE LATER: THE MENTAL HEALTH PICTURE
OF BOSNIAN REFUGEES LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES
Open Access
Author:
Karajic Siwiec, Azra
Graduate Program:
Counselor Education
Degree:
Doctor of Philosophy
Document Type:
Dissertation
Date of Defense:
May 18, 2011
Committee Members:
Brandon Hunt, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor Brandon Hunt, Committee Chair/Co-Chair Jolynn Carney, Committee Member Elizabeth Mellin, Committee Member Catherine Augustine, Committee Member
Keywords:
counseling mental health refugees
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess how Bosnian refugees are adjusting to life in the United States after a decade or more upon resettlement from Bosnia to the U.S. Study participants (N = 166) completed a demographic questionnaire and instruments related to depression (Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale), trauma (Impact of Events Scale-Revised), and acculturation (The Language Identity and Behavior Scale). The results indicate there is no relationship between depression and acculturation nor is there evidence to support the relationship between trauma and acculturation. The participants reported non-significant levels of depression and trauma contrary to past research findings (Craig et al., 2008; Miller et al., 2002). Future research recommendations for mental health and acculturative aspects of Bosnian refugees are discussed and implications for counseling and training are provided. Limitations of this study are also discussed.
