Improving mental health services for Latino and Asian immigrant elders.

Abstract

Given the changing demographics of the aging population in the United States, it is likely that professional psychologists will encounter elderly clients from diverse backgrounds in their practice. Asians and Latinos represent the 2 fastest growing groups of elderly immigrants. This article offers information and practical suggestions to assist clinicians working with elderly Asian and Latino immigrant clients. Specific recommendations for enhancing assessment and treatment efficacy with these populations are also provided. AMY WEISMAN received her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Southern California. She is currently an assistant professor at the University of Miami. Her primary areas of interest include the study of sociocultural factors associated with serious mental illness and psychotherapy process and outcome research. GREG FELDMAN received his MS in clinical psychology from the University of Miami, where he is currently a doctoral student. His research interests include depression, emotion regulation, mindfulness, and psychotherapy process and outcome. CYNTHIA GRUMAN received her PhD from the University of Massachusetts at Boston in gerontology. She is currently senior scientist at the Braceland Center for Mental Health and Aging, Hartford, Connecticut, and assistant professor at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Her area of research is long-term care financing. ROBERTA ROSENBERG received her MEd in generic special education from Boston College. She is vice president for resident program and policy development at Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly in Boston, Massachusetts. REBECA CHAMORRO received her PhD in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. She currently has an independent practice in Chicago and serves as assistant professor of clinical psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. IRENE BELOZERSKY received her MSW from Boston University. Currently, she works at the Combined Jewish Philanthropies in Boston, Massachusetts, overseeing program development and funding for the Russian community in Boston. She also continues to provide mental health services through her independent practice, working with refugees and immigrants and focusing on issues of immigration-related losses.

The experience of acculturative stress-related growth from immigrants’ perspectives

“…In addition, older East Asian immigrants tend to maintain their own cultural values and beliefs, which create conflicts with their adult children who are highly acculturated, and misunderstandings with others who are culturally or ethnically diverse (Weisman et al, 2005). For example, Mui and Kang (2006) found that the cultural gap between older Asian immigrants and their adult children caused depressive symptoms, which negatively affected their health.…”

“…Substantial evidence suggests that older East Asian immigrants experience more adaptation difficulties and perceive more acculturative stress than younger immigrants (Berry, 1992; Diwan, Jonnalagadda, & Balaswamy, 2004; Oh & Sales, 2002). The primary reason for this evidence is that older East Asian immigrants have a limited proficiency of English and communication problems with others (Lai, 2004; Nicassio, 1983; Weisman et al, 2005). These studies show that limited English skills resulted in social isolation and negative psychological symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, among older East Asian immigrants.…”

“…These studies show that limited English skills resulted in social isolation and negative psychological symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, among older East Asian immigrants. In addition, it would be challenging for older East Asian immigrants to modify and embrace new cultural values and beliefs because they have a tendency to maintain their own life patterns, traditions, customs, values, and beliefs (Weisman et al, 2005). Based on these factors, a variety of researchers have identified older East Asian immigrants’ stressors such as cultural and racial conflicts, communication issues, their dependency on their children related to transportation and financial support, and racial discrimination experiences (e.g., Hwang, Wood, & Fujimoto, 2010; Mui & Kang, 2006).…”

Ethnic differences in types of social support from multiple sources after breast cancer surgery

“…Familismo values emphasize that nuclear and extended families should be included in all aspects of caregiving, from daily self-care assistance to decision-making involvement (Galanti 2003). Emphasis on familial caregiving may lead Hispanics to refrain from seeking support from external sources (Weisman et al 2005). Machismo, the conception of masculinity in Hispanic culture, may include qualities such as emotional distancing and authoritarianism (Torres, Solberg, and Carlstrom 2002), which are associated with conflict in marital relationships and may translate into negative support (Tamez 1981).…”

The Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Mental Disorders among Muslims

“…Currently it is estimated that 11% (i.e., approximately 35 million) of the Muslim population in the United States are older adults (Hetzel & Smith, 2001;Weisman, Feldman, Gruman, Rosenberg et al, 2005). Older adults in general are increasing at a rapid pace in the United States, given the estimate that 20% of the US population is projected to be 65 years old by 2030, and this increases their vulnerability to mental illness due to isolation, loneliness, and declining physical and mental abilities (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2002).…”