Historical Trauma and Loss Among South East Asians: Examination of a Modified Scale of Historical Loss

Abstract

Historical trauma and loss are central to the mental health of Southeast Asian refugees who have endured collective grief due to multiple losses stemming from genocide, civil war, and political violence. This study examines the relevance of historical loss for the mental health of Southeast Asian refugee populations by examining the reliability and validity of the modified Historical Loss Scale, originally developed for Native Americans. To validate the modified Historical Loss Scale, data from 212 Southeast Asian adults was examined. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to determine the factor structure and construct validity was examined via bivariate correlations and multivariate regression analyses with measures of depression and anxiety. Results indicated that the modified scale appropriately assesses experiences of historical loss and related distress, following the structure identified in the original scale for Native Americans, and indicated good internal consistency reliability and satisfactory construct validity. The measure will be an important tool for examining historical loss and trauma among refugee populations, and their effects continue in the subsequent generations through intergenerational trauma.