Acculturation and mental health: a study of Hmong refugees at 1.5 and 3.5 years postmigration.

This study of Hmong refugees at 1.5 and 3.5 years following arrival in the United States showed considerable improvement on psychiatric self-rating scales. Social changes over the 2 year interim (including a high unemployment rate) were few. Earlier premigration and postmigration variables correlated with high symptom levels at 1.5 years were not correlated with these symptoms at 3.5 years. Events in the acculturation process which accompany, and perhaps account for some of these observations are indicated.