Examines the impact of trauma and family separation as they relate to the emotional distress of refugees. Refugees from Latin America and Africa living in Montreal who sought help from community refugee or immigrant services participated in structured interviews and other evaluative instruments to measure mental health variables. Refugees from both Africa and Latin America experienced long separations from children and spouses. The over three-year average length of separation is directly related to the immigration system in the host country. Most of the refugees suffered personal trauma with the African refugees experiencing more incidents of imprisonment and torture. Moreover, African refugees reported repression due to persecution and trauma of family members. The joint occurrence of both trauma and extended separation from family has a significant impact on the emotional distress of refugees. The family is an important touchstone for emotional support and identity for individuals in exile, taking a central role in mitigating the aftereffects of trauma. (IP)
