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Psychological Impact of the Los Angeles Riots on Korean- American Victims: Implications for Treatment

NCJ Number
156971
Journal
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry Volume: 65 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1995) Pages: 138-146
Author(s)
M Kim-Goh; C Suh; D D Blake; B Hiley-Young
Date Published
1995
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study examined recent psychological problems experienced by 202 Korean-American victims of the 1992 Los Angeles urban riots, where Korean-American merchants suffered out of proportion to their numbers in the population.
Abstract
Participants completed a questionnaire assessing age, gender, educational level, occupation, income, estimated financial loss from the riots, mental health services received, and alcohol and tobacco use before and after the riots; they also completed two self-report measures of psychological distress. The results showed that, four months after the riots, many victims seemed to be suffering from symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Older subjects, regardless of income or length of time spent in the U.S., evidenced more severe psychological reactions than did younger victims. A greater proportion of males than females reported increased usage of tobacco and alcohol following the riots. Clinicians need to help this population regain control over their lives, restore their sense of trust, and guide them to reassess their life priorities. 3 tables and 54 references