GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG SOUTHEAST-ASIAN REFUGEES

The focus of this study was to examine gender differences in levels an d predictors of psychological distress in a community sample of Southe ast Asian refugees. Although previous studies with clinical samples of Southeast Asian refugees have found gender differences in the degree of psychological distress, the few community-based studies have been i nconclusive. This community study found that there were gender differe nces in the predictors of distress and that refugee women reported sig nificantly higher levels of psychological distress than their male cou nterparts. Implications of the findings are discussed.