Preventing Filipino mental health disparities: Perspectives from adolescents, caregivers, providers, and advocates.

Abstract

Filipino Americans are the second largest immigrant population and second largest Asian ethnic group in the U.S. Disparities in youth behavioral health problems and the receipt of mental health services among Filipino youth have been documented previously. However, few studies have elicited perspectives from community stakeholders regarding how to prevent mental health disparities among Filipino youth. The purpose of the current study is to identify intervention strategies for implementing mental health prevention programs among Filipino youth. We conducted semi-structured interviews (n=33) with adolescents, caregivers, advocates, and providers and focus groups (n=18) with adolescents and caregivers. Interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed using a methodology of “coding consensus, co-occurrence, and comparison” and was rooted in grounded theory. Four recommendations were identified when developing mental health prevention strategies among Filipino populations: address the intergenerational gap between Filipino parents and children, provide evidence-based parenting programs, collaborate with churches in order to overcome stigma associated with mental health, and address mental health needs of parents. Findings highlight the implementation of evidence-based preventive parenting programs in faith settings as a community-identified and culturally appropriate strategy to prevent Filipino youth behavioral health disparities.

Annual review of Asian American Psychology, 2014.

“…Two studies developed culturally competent interventions specifically designed for a certain Asian American ethnic population (Jang, Chiriboga, et al, 2014; Yeh, Borrero, et al, 2014). Other studies used qualitative data obtained from interviews and focus groups involving individuals from the target population, family members, community members, and service providers to identify mental health needs and intervention strategies specific to Asian Americans (Javier et al, 2014; Ling et al, 2014). The intervention programs highlighted the mental health needs of Asian American populations at different developmental periods, as well as those of their family members, from early childhood (Huang et al, 2014), to children/adolescents or mothers with children/adolescents (Javier et al, 2014; Ling et al, 2014; Yeh, Borrero, et al, 2014; Zhou et al, 2014), to caregivers (mother or spouse) of adult patients with mental health disorders (L.…”

Annual review of Asian American Psychology, 2013.

“…Other studies used qualitative data obtained from interviews and focus groups involving individuals from the target population, family members, community members, and service providers to identify mental health needs and intervention strategies specific to Asian Americans (Javier et al, 2014;Ling et al, 2014). The intervention programs highlighted the mental health needs of Asian American populations at different developmental periods, as well as those of their family members, from early childhood , to children/adolescents or mothers with children/adolescents (Javier et al, 2014;Ling et al, 2014;Yeh, Borrero, et al, 2014;, to caregivers (mother or spouse) of adult patients with mental health disorders (L. H. Yang, Lai, et al, 2014), and to older adults .…”

“…. With respect to the qualitative studies (Javier et al, 2014;Ling et al, 2014), even though the majority of participants were adults (e.g., service providers), the main population of interest was Asian American adolescents and young adults, whose psychosocial needs were the focus of this study.We highlight one study as an example of culturally competent interventions. Zhou et al…”

Children in Immigrant Families

“…Overall, connecting closely with the immigrant community is an effective way to address barriers to health care for these communities; this is especially true for mental health. For example, the Filipino Family Initiative, a community engagement program to promote mental health among immigrant Filipino youth, involved a pediatrician partnered with churches, schools, and community-based organizations to offer an evidencebased parenting intervention to Filipino parents of school-aged children [97]. This program demonstrated positive effects for youth and parents.…”

“…Offering mental health screening and services in a primary care setting may help overcome stigma associated with going to a mental health clinic [97]. For instance, at an AltaMed site located in Children's Hospital Los Angeles, evidence-based parenting interventions have been implemented in a pilot project with Spanish-speaking parents of preschool children, and developmental-behavioral pediatricians [98,99] and child psychiatrists see children in their primary care settings.…”