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A measure of English acculturation stress and its relationships with psychological and physical health status in a sample of elderly Russian immigrants
- Authors:
- TRAN Thanh V., SUNG Tricia, HUYNH-HOHNBAUM Anh-Luu T.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 50(3/4), 2008, pp.37-50.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The factor structure and criterion validity of the English Language Acculturation Stress scale are evaluated in a sample of 300 elderly Russian immigrants who had lived in the USA for an average of seven years. The 11-item scale encompasses basic English skills, survival English skills and social involvement English skills. Correlation analysis of the scale with depression, physical health status and length of residence suggests that the scale has good criterion validity and potential as a screening instrument of language acculturation stress for this group of immigrants. Implications for research and social work practice are discussed. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Acculturative stress and depressive symptoms among Korean immigrant elders residing in non-Korean ethnic enclaves
- Author:
- RHEE Stephanie L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 26(4), 2017, pp.347-365.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This cross-sectional structured survey examined the relationships of personal factors, acculturative stress, and depressive symptoms among Korean immigrant elders (N = 108) residing in areas without any Korean ethnic enclave. Multiple regression and path analyses indicated that personal factors such as levels of acculturation and socioeconomic status might influence acculturative stress and depressive symptoms negatively; however, acculturative stress was the most significant risk factor for depressive symptoms. Culturally relevant programmes and services are important vehicles through which to enhance personal resources and reduce lingual and cultural barriers among Korean immigrant elders residing in non-Korean ethnic enclaves. (Publisher abstract)
A meta-analysis of culturally sensitive interventions designed to reduce high-risk behaviors among African American youth
- Authors:
- JACKSON Kelly F., HODGE David R., VAUGHN Michael G.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Service Research, 36(3), May 2010, pp.163-173.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
African American youths are vulnerable to chronic stressors associated with poverty and disenfranchisement, which can lead to numerous health and mental health related problems. These youths are specifically susceptible to HIV infection, obesity, incarceration, and abuse and neglect leading to foster care placement. This study sought to determine the effectiveness of culturally sensitive interventions in reducing this high-risk behaviour with African American youths. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effectiveness of culturally sensitive interventions across 7 previous studies. Findings indicate that youths who participated in culturally sensitive interventions were less likely to engage in these high-risk behaviours than those who did not participate, although the effect size was moderate. The authors suggest that, although the findings should be considered tentative, the results provide an initial quantitative assessment of culturally sensitive intervention effectiveness.
Social phobia in ultra-orthodox Jewish males: culture-bound syndrome or virtue?
- Authors:
- GREENBERG David, STRAVYNSKI Aiel, BILU Yoram
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Religion and Culture, 7(4), December 2004, pp.289-305.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Social difficulties of the performing variety are reported by ultra-orthodox male referrals to a psychiatrist in Jerusalem and confirmed by key communal informants. Three cases of social phobia are presented, and the content concerns performing, either speaking on religious matters publicly, a role associated with status and authority, or leading prayers and ceremonies, a role of sanctity and duty. The absence of women sufferers may be understood as a consequence of the value placed on modesty in women and there being no expectation of women to participate in study and public prayer, while the absence of complaints of interactional social phobia may be a consequence of the general discouragement of social intercourse not related to religious study. Aymat zibur, literally meaning fear of the community, is a term used by ultra-orthodox Jews to describe these fears of performance, although in its original meaning the term expresses the respect that the leader of prayers is expected to have for his awesome role. The cases described, however, were motivated by personal shame, similar to social phobia of the performance variety found in other cultures, rather than fear and respect. The values of ultra-orthodox religious life are presented that invest a person who avoids interactional social behaviors with the status of zaddik (a righteous person) while one who avoids the performance behaviors of speaking publicly on religious matters or leading prayers suffers from an idiom of distress in this particular society. Religious law and societal mores appear to be critical factors in deciding whether symptoms of social phobia are perceived and experienced as idioms of distress.
Stress factors and mental health of carers with relatives suffering from schizophrenia in Hong Kong: implications for culturally sensitive practices
- Author:
- WONG Daniel F.K.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 30(3), June 2000, pp.365-382.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study examines the difficulties and stresses experienced by carers with relatives suffering from schizophrenia in Hong Kong. The impact of these difficulties and stresses and of mastery as a coping resource on carers' mental health was also explored. Results show that carers experience most difficulties and stresses related to the management of negative symptoms such as refusal to perform household duties and neglect of personal hygiene, and less to handling positive symptoms such as bizarre behaviours and thoughts. It is also revealed that perceptions of stress associated with difficulties in the care of relatives with schizophrenia accounts for poorer mental health among carers. Lastly, carers with a strong sense of mastery have better mental health. Cultural issues such as 'family shame and face saving', 'family obligations and reciprocal expectations', 'external orientation to personal control' and the 'the Confucian work ethics' are put forward as explanations for these findings. Suggestions on culturally sensitive practices are made.
Consideration of cultural factors in working with Chinese American families with a mentally ill patient
- Author:
- KUNG Winnie W.
- Journal article citation:
- Families in Society, 82(1), January 2001, pp.97-107.
- Publisher:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
This American article discusses cultural beliefs of Chinese American families in relation to their experience of a mentally ill relative. Somatic factors and psychosocial stresses as causes of mental disorders are found compatible to the belief systems of these families. The stress-vulnerability dialysis is recommended as the explanatory model to be adopted by clinicians when they communicate the causes of mental illness to these families. Ways to harness support from extended families and community resources are also suggested. Also examined is a viable working alliance between these families and clinicians in terms of a therapeutic bond, consensual treatment goals, and relevant tasks. Finally, elements of a family intervention model compatible with cultural beliefs of these families are proposed.
Mental health of elderly Asians in Britain: a comparison of Hindus from nuclear and extended families of differing cultural identities
- Authors:
- GUGLANI Sacha, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15(11), November 2000, pp.1046-1053.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study compares the psychological adjustment of grandmothers from nuclear and extended families within British Hindu communities, and to investigate the influence of cultural identity. Interviews were carried out with Hindu grandmothers, mothers and granddaughters living in both nuclear and extended families.The sample was drawn from the total population of Asian Hindu girls aged between 13 and 17 years at four comprehensive schools in the London Borough of Redbridge. Grandmothers were better adjusted in extended families than in nuclear families. This adjustment was in part mediated by the level of traditional belief within the family. Elders whose granddaughters had an exclusively Indian or Hindu ethnic identity were better adjusted than those whose granddaughters included a British ethnic identity. This study confirmed findings from earlier studies that grandmothers in extended families were significantly better adjusted in comparison to those from nuclear families. Ethnic identity of the adolescent, independent of its salience and commitment to the adolescent, had a significant relationship to the grandmother's mental health.