Examines the academic, behavioral, and psychological effects on Khmer refugee adolescents of being exposed to war and related violence. This cross-sectional survey involved 144 face-to-face interviews with 14- to 20-year olds using the following instruments: a portion of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, a modified version of the Children’s Exposure to Community Violence, the Los Angeles Posttraumatic Stress Index, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children, the Personal Risk Behaviors Scale, the Perceived Social Support from Family and Friends, and the Orthogonal Cultural Identification Scale. Respondents (1) reported a high incidence of exposure to violence, under multiple and different circumstances; (2) experienced high rates of emotional distress; (3) achieved higher GPAs if less exposed to violence; and (4) were more likely to engage in risky behavior if previously exposed to higher amounts of violence. Moreover, adolescent depression correlated both with lack of perceived social support and exposure to violence in the United States. Further study would yield information necessary to design effective early identification, referral, and counseling services to enable these refugees to take greater advantage of educational opportunities. (84 references)
