Clinical Psychology Review
Volume 24, Issue 2, 2004, Pages 193-213

Understanding mental health needs of Southeast Asian refugees: Historical, cultural, and contextual challenges (Article)

Hsu E. , Davies C.A. , Hansen D.J.*
  • a University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, P.O. Box 880308, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, United States
  • b University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, P.O. Box 880308, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, United States
  • c University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, P.O. Box 880308, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, United States, Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, P.O. Box 880308, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, United States

Abstract

Research and clinical information pertaining to mental health needs of Asians residing in the United States is limited but growing. There is a tendency to group all persons of Asian descent together and, therefore, the empirical literature does not sufficiently address the mental health needs in specific subgroups. The focus of this article is to understand the mental health needs of one subgroup of Asians - Southeast Asian refugees (SEAR). The main purpose is to review the relevant literature pertaining to Southeast Asian refugees' experiences and to understand the manifestation of psychiatric disorders by examining historical, cultural, and contextual challenges. Despite the well-documented mental health needs for SEAR, most do not present for mental health services. Therefore, resilience and protective factors are discussed. Research and clinical implications are described and suggestions are offered on how to apply information obtained from Southeast Asian refugees' experiences to future refugees. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Southeast Asian Protective factors cultural issues Mental health Refugees

Index Keywords

hospital admission cultural anthropology depression comprehension home mental health service alienation refugee Cambodia Europe Laos clinical feature mental health human sex difference sexuality USSR Central America social care family size religion mental disease psychotherapy United States social status attitude environmental factor Southeast Asia South America Viet Nam medical documentation juvenile Review Africa race emotion gender migration legal aspect posttraumatic stress disorder politics adulthood
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-1842714347&doi=10.1016%2fj.cpr.2003.10.003&partnerID=40&md5=c6f9a4a36b3246feda0e9b2fbafbad7e
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2003.10.003
ISSN: 02727358
Cited by: 71
Original Language: English