The relationship of self-concept, ego defense mechanisms, and religious beliefs with severity of psychiatric symptoms among a clinical sample of Cambodian holocaust survivors

This study examined the relationships between self-concept, ego defense mechanisms, and Buddhist beliefs and severity of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among a clinical sample of Cambodian holocaust survivors. It was hypothesized that positive self-concept, utilization of mature ego defenses, and strong adherence to Buddhist beliefs would mediate the effects of extreme stress and reduce psychiatric symptoms.;The results indicated that there were significant positive relationships between Self Satisfaction and depression, primitive defense mechanisms (combined scores of Projection, Regression, and Displacement), Regression, and Repression and PTSD, and Reaction Formation and anxiety. Furthermore, Denial was significantly and negatively correlated with depression. Buddhism exhibited no significant relationship with any of the symptoms. Among all variables studied, trauma level was the most significant contributor to the symptom levels of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.;The findings of this study indicated that these Cambodian holocaust survivors were suffering from the chronic effects of severe trauma that may require long-term treatment emphasizing neuropsychological desensitization and re-establishment of effective coping resources and environment manipulation. The transcultural application of Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, Life Style Index, and Buddhist Beliefs and Practices Scale revealed conceptual difficulties and suggested the need to develop more culturally sensitive and appropriate instruments and data-collection procedures for this group.;Thirty-three female Cambodian clients at a community mental health clinic participated in this study. All were between 23 and 58 years of age and had Cambodian holocaust experiences. Cambodian versions of Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, Life Style Index, Buddhist Beliefs and Practices Scale, Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25, Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, and Sociodemographic Questionnaire were administered. As a cultural comparison group, data from 50 Thai women of equivalent age were obtained from a study by Tori and Emavardhana (1996).