Adolescent Survivors of “Ethnic Cleansing”: Observations on the First Year in America

ABSTRACT

Objective

To describe the psychiatric assessments and trauma testimonies of 12 Bosnian adolescents newly resettled in America. Method: Twelve Bosnian adolescents who experienced the massive psychic trauma of “ethnic cleansing” were assessed during the first year after their resettlement in the United States. Assessments consisted of systematic, trauma-focused, clinical interviews that included standard assessment scales of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, as well as the opportunity to give testimony about their experiences.

Results

PTSD was diagnosed in 25% of subjects and depressive disorders in 17%. Reexperiencing cluster symptoms were present in 50%, avoidance cluster symptoms in 31 %, and hypeararousal cluster symptoms in 29%.

Conclusions

The relatively low rate of PTSD in this sample (in comparison with adult survivors of “ethnic cleansing” and with Cambodian adolescent survivors) may be attributable to normal prior development, time-limited adversity, lack of physical or sexual traumas, rejoining nuclear families, or insufficient time for the development of delayed-onset PTSD. It may also be a reflection of the resiliency of adolescence. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 1995, 34, 9:1153–1159.