Cambodian refugees in the United States, in addition to suffering loss of homeland, culture, and families, are survivors of a holocaust that has affected every Khmer family. Summarizes the history of Cambodian conflict and genocide, and describes its lingering effects on refugees attempting to rebuild their lives in this country. (AF)

Reviews the symptomatic characteristics of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compares the cultural and clinical characteristics of Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees (N=973) diagnosed with PTSD, and assesses the validity of PTSD across cultures. Outlines differences between groups and implications for effective treatment and further…

The authors examined the relationship of demographic, clinical, and service program factors with preintake attrition rates, or the nonattendance of intake appointments, among 5 Asian American groups at an ethnic-specific program. The results show that younger age, earlier appointment, Asian language match with the prescreening interviewer, and…

The teaching of foreign languages in Cambodia is examined in the light of its recent history. The paper describes the French colonial period, beginning in 1863, the emergence of the independent state under King Sihanouk (1953-70), the Khmer Republic (1970-75) and Democratic Kampuchea (1975-79), during which the infamous mass killings took place,…

It is generally observed in the literature of school effectiveness research that there are two broadly categorized factors influencing pupil achievement. However, the results of the studies based on empirically collected data vary from country to country and from time to time. Premised on this inconsistency of results and gaps in knowledge of this…

Among the many factors that influence the level and quality of Southeast Asian parents' involvement with schools are parents' literacy level, prearrival education, and strong cultural beliefs. Provides implications for principals and selected resources. (13 references) (MLF)

A Canadian bilingual ESL program for Cambodians was taught by an experienced English-speaking ESL teacher and a Cambodian-speaking coteacher. Observations, interviews, and journal analysis showed that a bilingual monocultural format encouraged student participation and peer teaching and that second-language learning was facilitated by…

The relationship between acculturation and smoking behavior was examined in four Asian-American groups that included recent immigrants and US-born Koreans, Chinese, Vietnamese and Cambodians residing in the Delaware Valley of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The study was part of a community-based, comprehensive cross-sectional study designed to…

Based primarily on interviews with American sponsors of Khmer refugees, describes a cluster resettlement project conducted in Amherst, South Hadley, Northampton, and Easthampton, Massachusetts. Discusses services provided to refugees and considers sponsor-refugee relations. (GC)

The Santa Clara (CA) transition project is a collaborative effort between the county's Head Start program and a San Jose school district. The program provides teacher training, transition activities, developmentally appropriate practices, comprehensive family services, and parent involvement opportunities. During 1994-95, the project is working…

Three Southeast Asian teachers, one from Vietnam, one from Cambodia, and one from Thailand, develop curriculum materials for native language instruction for students in Project LOWELL, the Lowell (MA) Public Schools transitional program for limited English speaking Asian refugee children. Their duties and the importance of them are discussed. (PS)

The article discusses the cultural differences of Americans and Southeast Asians in their child-rearing practices. Guidelines are provided for teachers working with Southeast Asian parents, who may feel shame that their child is identified as handicapped. A chart compares American cultural values with Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian values.…

Presents the age-sex structures of refugee populations arriving in the United States from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam from 1975 through 1986. Differences in the composition of these young populations reflect varying flight and resettlement experiences and changing factors influencing migration. High fertility rates predict a generation of rapid…

Interviews with 144 Khmer refugee adolescents found high levels of lifetime exposure to violence, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among one third of adolescents, and symptoms of depression among two thirds. Higher exposure to violence was related to PTSD symptoms, risk behaviors, and lower grade point average. Perceived social…

Contrary to the model minority stereotype, Asian youth are increasingly becoming more involved in crime and delinquency. For instance, in the California Youth Authority, Southeast Asian adolescents are disproportionately represented, including Cambodian, Hmong, and Lao and Mien youth. However, few studies have focused on factors that are…