Relationship of Child Loss to Psychiatric and Functional Impairment in Resettled Cambodian Refugees

One hundred sixty eight respondents, recruited from a community of resettled Cambodian refugees in Massachusetts, were interviewed for a study of trauma, physical and emotional health, and functioning. Of the 161 respondents who have ever had any children, 70 parents (43%) reported the death of between one and six of their children. Child loss was positively associated with health-related concerns, a variety of somatic symptoms, and culture-bound conditions of emotional distress. No relationship was found with conventional psychiatric symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Parents whose children died were performing most routine daily activities and participating in social activities to a similar and even greater extent than were parents who did not lose children. Nevertheless, child loss was strongly associated with a perception of health-related limitation in both physical functioning and social activities. Further research on the prevalence of child loss and its impact on long-term adjustment in survivors of mass trauma is indicated.