Asian/Pacific-Americans and Group Practice

Evolving lessons from group work involvement in china

“…Lee and Mixson (1995) described members of the Chinese culture as preferring formal, structured, and direct approaches that deemphasize personal or emotional concerns. In Chinese culture, counselors are viewed as experts with competence and thus with authority (Chu & Sue, 1984). Leaders are elevated in status (Tata & Leong, 1994) and often treated with reverence (Arkoff, Thaver, & Elkind, 1966).…”

“…Leaders are elevated in status (Tata & Leong, 1994) and often treated with reverence (Arkoff, Thaver, & Elkind, 1966). Thus, members of groups in China typically expect that there will be a formal relationship between the members and the leader, regardless of the purpose of the group (Chu & Sue, 1984). Our experience is consistent with these expert reports.…”

Asians in groups: More than a matter of cultural awareness

“…It should be noted, however, that Asians themselves are a heterogeneous group representing as many as 35 distinct cultures (Chu & Sue, 1984). That is, there is a multitude of within group differences.…”

“…One has to understand that family ties are very strong and very important to the Asian client (Chu & Sue, 1984;Tsui & Schultz, 1988). Filial piety dictates that obligations to one's parents must be respected throughout life, and Asians value the traditional interdependence of family relationships (Kinzie et al, 1988).…”

“…Several authors claim that Asian clients are best served in culturally homogeneous groups. For example, Chu and Sue (1984) noted that members of a culturally homogeneous group can better sense one another's style of communication and are therefore in a better position to provide encouragement and support. Ho (1984) recommended that Asian clients of a particular nationality or geographic locale should be grouped together, because common subculture and language background are conducive to group process and goal achievement.…”