Community Mental Health Journal
Volume 48, Issue 1, 2012, Pages 98-106

Stressors and barriers to using mental health services among diverse groups of first-generation immigrants to the United States (Article)

Saechao F.* , Sharrock S. , Reicherter D. , Livingston J.D. , Aylward A. , Whisnant J. , Koopman C. , Kohli S.
  • a Center for Survivors of Torture, Asian Americans for Community Involvement, 2400 Moorpark Ave., San Jose, CA 95128, United States
  • b Center for Survivors of Torture, Asian Americans for Community Involvement, 2400 Moorpark Ave., San Jose, CA 95128, United States
  • c Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
  • d Center for Survivors of Torture, Asian Americans for Community Involvement, 2400 Moorpark Ave., San Jose, CA 95128, United States
  • e Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
  • f Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
  • g Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
  • h Center for Survivors of Torture, Asian Americans for Community Involvement, 2400 Moorpark Ave., San Jose, CA 95128, United States

Abstract

This study examined stressors and barriers to using mental health services among first-generation immigrants in San Jose, California. Focus groups for 30 immigrants from Cambodia, Eastern Europe, Iran, Iraq, Africa, and Vietnam were audio-recorded, translated and transcribed. Two researchers coded the data and identified themes pertaining to mental health stressors and barriers. Six primary stressors were identified: economic, discrimination, acculturation due to language differences, enculturation, parenting differences, and finding suitable employment. Primary barriers included: stigma, lack of a perceived norm in country of origin for using mental health services, competing cultural practices, lack of information, language barriers, and cost. A conceptual model is presented that may be used to inform the design and implementation of mental health services for this population. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010.

Author Keywords

Immigrant mental health services Barriers Stress

Index Keywords

information processing cultural anthropology Cultural Diversity mental health service psychological aspect Continental Population Groups human middle aged Stress, Psychological mental stress Aged Adaptation, Psychological Mental Health Services ethnology United States Young Adult Humans California male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation Aged, 80 and over female adaptive behavior cultural factor race Article adult migration Utilization Review patient attitude Emigration and Immigration Patient Acceptance of Health Care Focus Groups Healthcare Disparities health care disparity Health Services Accessibility health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84858864344&doi=10.1007%2fs10597-011-9419-4&partnerID=40&md5=82a3bdd0d88655756d4507a6a4aab3ee
DOI: 10.1007/s10597-011-9419-4
ISSN: 00103853
Cited by: 45
Original Language: English