Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 17, Issue 6, 2015, Pages 1723-1731

Experiences of Social and Structural Forms of Stigma Among Chinese Immigrant Consumers with Psychosis (Article)

Cheng Z.H. , Tu M.-C. , Li V.A. , Chang R.W. , Yang L.H.*
  • a Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States
  • b Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, United States
  • c Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY, United States
  • d Psychology Department, La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
  • e Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, United States

Abstract

Chinese immigrants tend to rely on family and close community for support given their vulnerable societal position. Yet stigma, especially from structural and familial sources, may have a particularly harmful impact upon Chinese immigrants with psychosis. Using a descriptive analysis based upon grounded theory, we examined stigma experiences of 50 Chinese immigrant consumers with psychosis, paying particular attention to frequency, sources, and themes of social and structural stigma. Although past research indicates that family is a recipient of stigma, we found instead that family members were common perpetuators of social forms of stigma. We also found that perceptions of work deficit underlie many forms of stigma, suggesting this is “what matters most” in this community. Lack of financial resources and language barriers comprised most frequent forms of structural stigma. Anti-stigma efforts should aim to improve consumer’s actual and perceived employability to target what is most meaningful in Chinese immigrant communities. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Chinese immigrants Stigma Mental health discrimination

Index Keywords

cultural anthropology China mental health service human epidemiology middle aged psychosis Mental Health Services ethnology United States Humans migrant family psychology Asian Americans male Emigrants and Immigrants Asian American Socioeconomic Factors Psychotic Disorders female socioeconomics Social Stigma adult Social Environment Culture
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84946474241&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-015-0167-3&partnerID=40&md5=d3a2b9f3e20850f9f81ed30221e83913
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-015-0167-3
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English