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Shapiro E, Mekonent S, Tanami N. Mental Health and Care Utilization Among Ethiopian-Israeli Immigrants During the Period of COVID-19. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2024; 11:739-754. [PMID: 36930452 PMCID: PMC10022572 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01557-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
As well as affecting physical health, COVID-19 can impact mental health. Despite this, Israelis may not be getting needed mental health care because of culture-related barriers such as stigma and lack of knowledge about mental health and appropriate care. This is especially likely among vulnerable populations, such as Ethiopian immigrants, yet the topic has been understudied. This study aimed to examine to what extent COVID-19-related mental health stressors and issues are found among Ethiopian-Israelis and the extent of stigma and mental health literacy among Ethiopian-Israelis during the COVID-19 period. It also examined differences between the 1.5th and 2nd generations and potential interventions to improve their mental health. Online surveys were filled out by a convenience sample of 225 Ethiopian-Israelis recruited from a variety of sources in the fall of 2020. Over 40% expressed greater mental distress since COVID-19 started. Stigma and lack of mental health-related knowledge were found among many in this population, serving as potentially important barriers to getting appropriate mental health care. For example, only 52% disagreed with the statement that people with mental illness should not be given any responsibility and only 66% felt confident they could identify having a mental health problem requiring treatment. Variations were found by types of stressors, stigma, and lack of knowledge, as well as by immigration generation, for at least some measures. COVID-19 can negatively impact mental health and appropriate mental health care utilization, especially for a racial/ethnic minority group of immigrants such as Ethiopian-Israelis. Interventions are needed, such as increased education about mental health from a variety of sources, which can help decrease stigma and improve mental health care utilization among this group, especially when appropriately tailored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ephraim Shapiro
- Department of Health Systems Management, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Shimrit Mekonent
- Department of Health Systems Management, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Noi Tanami
- Department of Health Systems Management, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
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Doubková N, Heissler R, Sanders E, Preiss M. In the shadow of dissidence: exploring the experiences of descendants of Czechoslovakian dissidents. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1310238. [PMID: 38445052 PMCID: PMC10913190 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1310238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Communist Party's reign in Czechoslovakia (1948-1989) saw the persecution of thousands of individuals. The State Security campaign "Asanace" (meaning "sanitation") was conducted to expel critics of the regime from the country using psychological and physical terror. Although stories of dissidents are frequently presented in public spaces, little is known about the experiences of their children. Methods To address this gap, we conducted interpretative phenomenological analyses of semi-structured in-depth interviews with five adult descendants of Czechoslovakian dissidents. Results Our analyses revealed that while participants appreciated and were inspired by their parents' dissident activities, they tend to distance themselves from it in order not to live in their parents' shadow. Furthermore, for them, the "Asanace" campaign primarily meant emigration, which in turn affected their sense of self and (national) identity dispersion. Consequently, they experienced feelings of being uprooted and different. Furthermore, they faced challenges acculturating. However, they also recognized their resilience as being rooted in their migration experience and the legacy of their parents' dissidence. Discussion By highlighting intergenerational differences and the impact of family legacy on individuals' strengths and weaknesses, this study contributes to our understanding of the psychological consequences of living in, escaping from and adjusting to life beyond oppressive regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Edel Sanders
- School of Psychology, University of New York in Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Marek Preiss
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
- School of Psychology, University of New York in Prague, Prague, Czechia
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Horne CV. Acculturation and Mental Health: A Scoping Review. Creat Nurs 2024; 30:29-36. [PMID: 38351720 DOI: 10.1177/10784535241229146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Background: Acculturative stress theory and the healthy immigrant paradox provide conflicting frameworks from which to study the mental health of immigrant groups. This scoping review aims to provide clarity on the mental health effects of acculturation. Review Question: How are anxiety, depression, and stress expressed in the adolescent and adult children of immigrants? Method: Considering various generational classifications, 1333 articles were screened and 25 articles were selected. This review highlights the presentation of cultural stress and its mental health effects in the children of immigrants ranging from 13 to 28 years of age. Conclusions: Social support is necessary as these children and young adults work to reconcile different worldviews. There is a need for a multifaceted approach to health care that incorporates the development of culturally appropriate responses to stressors. Collaboration among health practitioners growing in cultural competency can assist this population not only in the development of coping strategies, but also in self-actualization. The conflicting results found in this review suggest a need for more work in the area of acculturation stress, to grow the understanding of health practitioners within various cultural groups in order to transform mental health clinical practice.
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Takahashi M, Nishimura T, Osuka Y, Tsukui N, Adachi M, Katayama T, Wakuta M. Mental health status of children who use foreign languages at home in Japan. PCN REPORTS : PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES 2023; 2:e115. [PMID: 38868133 PMCID: PMC11114334 DOI: 10.1002/pcn5.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Aim Little is known about the mental health status of children in Japan whose roots are in foreign countries. The differences in language that are used every day may be a factor that makes adaptation difficult for these children. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to examine the mental health status of children who use foreign languages at home via a cross-sectional survey in a large cohort. Methods The survey was conducted among children who attended public elementary and junior high schools in a large city in Japan. Data were received from 20,596 elementary school-aged (above 4th grade) and 19,464 junior high school-aged children. We compared mental health status evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 in the group based on language usage at home (only Japanese, only foreign languages, and both languages). Results We found that children who used foreign languages at home exhibited worse mental health status than children who used only Japanese at home. In addition, mental health status was slightly better among junior high school-aged children who used only foreign languages at home than among elementary school-aged children. This tendency was not observed in the group of children who used both languages at home. Conclusion Our results suggest that children in Japanese society who use foreign languages at home have worse mental health, therefore there is a need for support for these children living in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michio Takahashi
- Smart‐Aging Research CenterTohoku UniversitySendaiMiyagiJapan
- Institute of Child Developmental Science ResearchHamamatsuShizuokaJapan
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of MedicineHirosaki UniversityHirosakiAomoriJapan
| | - Tomoko Nishimura
- Institute of Child Developmental Science ResearchHamamatsuShizuokaJapan
- Research Center for Child Mental DevelopmentHamamatsu University School of MedicineHamamatsuJapan
| | - Yuko Osuka
- Institute of Child Developmental Science ResearchHamamatsuShizuokaJapan
| | - Nobuaki Tsukui
- Institute of Child Developmental Science ResearchHamamatsuShizuokaJapan
| | - Masaki Adachi
- Institute of Child Developmental Science ResearchHamamatsuShizuokaJapan
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of MedicineHirosaki UniversityHirosakiAomoriJapan
- Faculty of PsychologyMeiji Gakuin UniversityMinato‐kuTokyoJapan
| | - Taiichi Katayama
- Institute of Child Developmental Science ResearchHamamatsuShizuokaJapan
- Department of Child Development and Molecular Brain Science, United Graduate School of Child DevelopmentOsaka UniversitySuitaOsakaJapan
| | - Manabu Wakuta
- Institute of Child Developmental Science ResearchHamamatsuShizuokaJapan
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Conduct Disorder in Immigrant Children and Adolescents: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Sweden. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182010643. [PMID: 34682389 PMCID: PMC8535976 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Conduct disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis characterized by repetitive and persistent norm-breaking behavior. This study aimed to compare the risk of conduct disorder between first- and second-generation immigrant children and adolescents and their native controls. METHODS In this nationwide, open-cohort study from Sweden, participants were born 1987-2010, aged 4-16 years at baseline, and were living in the country for at least one year during the follow-up period between 2001 and 2015. The sample included 1,902,526 and 805,450 children-adolescents with native and immigrant backgrounds, respectively. Data on the conduct disorder diagnoses were retrieved through the National Patient Register. We estimated the incidence of conduct disorder and calculated adjusted Hazard Ratios. RESULTS Overall, the adjusted risk of conduct disorder was lower among first-generation immigrants and most second-generation immigrant groups compared with natives (both males and females). However, second-generation immigrants with a Swedish-born mother and a foreign-born father had a higher risk of conduct disorder than natives. Similar results were found for sub-diagnoses of conduct disorder. CONCLUSIONS The higher risk of conduct disorder among second-generation immigrants with a Swedish-born mother and the lower risk among most of the other immigrant groups warrants special attention and an investigation of potential underlying mechanisms.
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Reyes AT, Constantino RE, Cross CL, Tan RA, Bombard JN. Resilience, Trauma, and Cultural Norms Regarding Disclosure of Mental Health Problems among Foreign-Born and US-Born Filipino American Women. Behav Med 2020; 46:217-230. [PMID: 32787724 DOI: 10.1080/08964289.2020.1725413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Resilience refers to a set of personal qualities and abilities that allow an individual to confront challenges, risks, or traumatic experiences in an integrated manner and to thrive in the face of significant adversities. This cross-sectional study explores resilience, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and family norms with disclosure of mental health problems (FNAD) in a sample of 182 Filipino American women (FAW). Participants completed survey measures of resilience, PTSD, and FNAD and open-ended questions about beliefs and reasons for (not) disclosing mental health problems outside the family. Previous research found that the rates of psychological trauma and depression among FAW are higher than those in other Asian ethnic groups, which makes it necessary to investigate the protective characteristic of resilience among FAW. According to our results, foreign-born FAW had a significantly lower PTSD and greater resilience as compared to their US-born counterparts. A significant negative relationship between PTSD and resilience was observed only among foreign-born FAW. We also found a conditional moderating effect of FNAD on the negative relationship between resilience and PTSD. The results of our qualitative analysis of the participants' responses to the open-ended questions of the survey showed that FAW's family norms of nondisclosure are related to the cultural value of "saving face," a salient cultural construct among Asian family members. Results suggest that protective properties of resilience against PTSD are influenced by cultural factors, such as FNAD. Taken together, our findings underscore the importance of considering the impact of collectivistic cultural values (e.g., FNAD) in future research on resilience among Asian Americans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chad L Cross
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas.,School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas
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Rosenberg J, Rosenthal MS, Cramer LD, Lebowitz ER, Sharifi M, Yun K. Disparities in Mental and Behavioral Health Treatment for Children and Youth in Immigrant Families. Acad Pediatr 2020; 20:1148-1156. [PMID: 32599347 PMCID: PMC7655594 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Children and youth in immigrant families (CIF)-children and youth with at least 1 foreign-born parent-face unique psychosocial stressors. Yet little is known about access to mental and behavioral health (MBH) services for CIF. Among US CIF and non-CIF with MBH problems, we assessed access to MBH treatment. METHODS We used the National Survey of Children's Health-2016, a nationally representative survey of predominantly English- or Spanish-speaking US parents. The sample included 2- to 17-year-olds whose parent reported at least 1 MBH problem. The primary outcome was prior-year receipt of MBH treatment (counseling, medication, or both). RESULTS Of 50,212 survey respondents, 7164 reported a current MBH problem (809 CIF and 6355 non-CIF). The majority of CIF were Hispanic/Latinx (56% CIF vs 13% non-CIF, P < .001). CIF were less likely than non-CIF to have an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis (35% vs 59%, P < .001) and less likely to have received MBH medication and/or counseling (61% vs 71%, P = .02). This difference was pronounced for receiving medication (32% vs 50%, P < .001). When controlling for multiple covariates, differences in any MBH treatment were no longer statistically significant (adjusted odds ratios 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.52-1.11), while the odds of receipt of medication remained significantly lower for CIF (adjusted odds ratios 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.88). CONCLUSIONS Among children and youth with at least 1 parent-reported MBH problem, CIF, compared with non-CIF, were less likely to receive MBH treatment, specifically medication. This may be explained, in part, by differences in the proportion of CIF and non-CIF diagnosed with ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Rosenberg
- Section of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine (J Rosenberg, MS Rosenthal, and M Sharifi), New Haven, Conn; Yale University National Clinician Scholar Program (J Rosenberg, MS Rosenthal, LD Cramer, and M Sharifi), New Haven, Conn.
| | - Marjorie S. Rosenthal
- Section of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, PO Box 208064, New Haven, CT 06520-8064.,Yale University National Clinician Scholar Program, 333 Cedar Street, PO Box 208088, New Haven,CT 06510
| | - Laura D. Cramer
- Yale University National Clinician Scholar Program, 333 Cedar Street, PO Box 208088, New Haven,CT 06510
| | - Eli R. Lebowitz
- Yale Child Study Center, 230 South Frontage Rd, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Mona Sharifi
- Section of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, PO Box 208064, New Haven, CT 06520-8064.,Yale University National Clinician Scholar Program, 333 Cedar Street, PO Box 208088, New Haven,CT 06510
| | - Katherine Yun
- Division of General Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia & University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Ferrari L, Manzi C, Benet-Martinez V, Rosnati R. Social and Family Factors Related to Intercountry Adoptees and Immigrants’ Bicultural Identity Integration. JOURNAL OF CROSS-CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/0022022119850339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ferrari
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Manzi
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Rosa Rosnati
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
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