Chinese Mental Health Research Articles

Psychodynamic Treatment, Training, and Supervision Using Internet-Based Technologies

For several years, the China American Psychoanalytic Alliance (CAPA) has provided treatment, training, and supervision to Chinese mental health professionals over the Internet. The lack of Chinese analysts and mentors has created an intense demand for psychodynamic psychotherapy training and treatment that CAPA is addressing using Skype™ and other distance communication technologies. This article describes the project, its history, scope, and activities, and the experiences of CAPA teachers and clinicians in exploring and developing the usefulness and power of this very new teaching method. Some particular characteristics of Chinese culture have become apparent as a result of the teaching experience. Aspects of the transference and countertransference that are shaped by the virtual nature of the technology are discussed, using case material. Our hope is that, in helping to train our Chinese students in psychodynamic psychotherapy, they will go on to train future generations of clinicians. This model of teaching and training could also be applied in other underserved areas.

A comparison and intervention study on mental health of Chinese Bangladeshi,Indian and Pakistani peacekeepers

Objective To explore the difference of mental health between Chinese Bangladeshi,Indian and Pakistani peacekeepers and the mental intervention effect.Methods The mental health of the Chinese and Asian peacekeeping soldiers was investigated by Chinese Military Mental Health Scale (CMMHS),while mental interventions were undertaken on them.Results The total seores and lie factor of CMMHS of Asian peacekeepers (Bangladeshi,Indian,Pakistani) were significantly higher than that of Chinese peaeekeepers (t=1.940 ～ 3.945,P =0.000 ～ 0.047).Before mental intervention,except the obsessive factor of Bangladeshi obviously higher than India,the other factors of AMMHS were not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05) ; after mental intervention,CMMHS factors score of these Asian peacekeepers significantly declined (t=2.118 ～ 3.094,P--0.002 ～ 0.036; t=1.705～4.968,P=0.000～0.035; t=2.107 ～70.706,P=0.000 ～0.037).CMMHS factors score of these Asian peacekeepers had no correlation with the age and military years,et al.Conclusion There is an obviously influence on mental health of peacekeepers of the three Asian countries and China,while each factor no significant differences.Mental intervention showed a good effect on them. Key words: Peacekeepers; Chinese military mental health scale; Bangladeshi ; Indian; Pakistani

Organization and developing model of community mental health service in United States: example of Family Service of Santa Monica, California, USA

Throush investigation,interview and literature statistics.the researchere8 studied the organization and developing model of community mental health service in USA.The results showed that it is imperative to develop community mental health service in China.It would be in need of training professional clinic social workel's and setting up service criterion for Chinese community mental health service.Exploring the new model of community mental health service and strengthening health education would help more peopie like to receive service available in their community. Key words: Community mental health services; Service model: United States

China–Australia Training on Psychosocial Crisis Intervention: Response to the Earthquake Disaster in Sichuan

This paper describes the AusAID-funded psychosocial training program conducted jointly by Chinese and Australian mental health facilitators in the wake of the devastating earthquake disaster in Sichuan. A total of 280 professional and volunteer leaders in disaster mental health response from across China took part in the national disaster mental health training program. A comprehensive, evidence-based and practical program was collaboratively developed and delivered to meet the needs of the medical professionals and volunteer mental health workers working in the field. Results of the training evaluation indicated high levels of uptake and usefulness for the participants. Further outcome assessments will be utilized at the service delivery and community levels. The training program has contributed significantly to the building of national and local capacity to deliver psychological first-aid and psychosocial response management to assist the populations who have been affected by disaster.

The Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP): Effectiveness with Chinese consumers

Education and knowledge have always been prized life quests for Chinese. The question however, is whether Western-style mental health education is acceptable to Chinese mental health consumers and whether it is useful in improving their knowledge and understanding of mental health and the process of recovery. Whilst there has been a plethora of psychoeducational material published, most offer passive learning or require little educator/learner interaction, let alone active participation.The aim of this paper is to present a pilot research on the acceptability, the applicability and the effectiveness of the Western concept of mental health recovery including the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) programme in improving the effectiveness of recovery among the members of Bo Ai She (BAS), a Chinese mental health consumers’ self-help organisation in New Zealand.Qualitative research methods were used to undertake this research. Eight members of BAS and three professional mental health workers were interviewed, and proceedings from discussions in two focus groups comprising consumers and their family members have been included to form the data base.Key findings from this research affirmed that the WRAP programme has played a significant role in recovery for Chinese consumers in BAS. The results also suggested areas which needed to be modified in order to become a cultural-appropriate programme in Chinese mental health consumers’ recovery.

Sexuality Among Chinese Mental Health Consumers in Halfway Houses of Hong Kong

Sexuality Among Chinese Mental Health Consumers in Halfway Houses of Hong Kong

Sexuality Among Chinese Mental Health Consumers in Halfway Houses of Hong Kong

This study examined the sexuality of Chinese mental health consumers in halfway houses by incorporating the perspectives of consumers and staff. A total of 193 consumers and 88 staff from 11 halfway houses in Hong Kong completed surveys about sexual needs, attitudes, and expression. Chi square analyses and t tests examined group differences. Needs related to nine sex-related activities were examined: finding a partner, dating, marriage, procreation, use of sex workers (persons who exchange sex for money), viewing pornography, masturbation, intimate physical contacts, and sexual intercourse. From 14% to 49% of consumers reported needs related to the nine activities. Acceptance of activities was higher among staff, and consumers were more conservative in sexual attitudes. Staff's members' reported level of sexual knowledge and level of comfort in addressing sexual issues were higher than consumers' reports of their own knowledge and comfort. The findings can inform the development of sexuality training programs for staff and consumers in halfway houses.

Comparing models of mental health service systems between Australia and China: implications for the future development of Chinese mental health service

In addition, approximately 30 million children and young adolescents are suffering from mood and/or behavioral disorders. Drug and alcohol problems and other psychosocial disorders affecting women, elders and survivors of disasters are also important problems adding to the overall national mental health burden. Research from both China and abroad indicate that mental and behavioral problems will continue to increase in the future. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the financial burden from mental disorders in China will constitute 1/4 of total burden from various diseases in 2020.

Stigma of mental illness among Chinese people

I read with interest the paper by Chung & Wong ‘Experiences of stigma among Chinese mental health patients in Hong Kong’ ( Psychiatric Bulletin , December 2004, 28 , 451–454). They cited as one limitation of their study that their results might not extrapolate to the Chinese population in

Experience of stigma among Chinese mental health patients in Hong Kong

Aims and MethodThe study was intended to rectify the lack of data on how Chinese people experience the stigma of mental illness. A questionnaire on perceived stigmatisation, experiences of rejection and ways of coping with stigma was completed by 193 persons attending a psychiatric out-patient clinic in Hong Kong.ResultsMost of the participants were aware of the stigma associated with mental illness, but experiences of rejection were relatively less frequent. Eleven per cent of the respondents indicated that they were neglected by health care professionals and 8% had been avoided by family members. The most frequently reported coping method was maintaining secrecy about the illness.Clinical ImplicationsIn China, people with mental health problems experience stigma in various degrees. However, some of the people surveyed expressed feelings of relief that others were supportive and sympathetic towards their illness. Mental health professionals should maintain optimism in helping their patients to cope with the stigma.

The Transformation of China's Mental Health Services

Different powerful groups within a society characterize social deviance in different ways, so the types of social deviance considered 'mental disorders' are a reflection of the relative influence of different institutions in the community at a particular point in time. In most Western countries the influence of the medical establishment and the high profile of psychiatry within medicine result in a strong tendency to medicalize many forms of social deviance, to label them as mental disorders, and to develop corresponding treatment facilities. However, based on my observations during a dozen years as a practising psychiatrist in China, the medical institutions there are relatively weak — medical care only accounts for 3.2 per cent of GNP — and psychiatry has a very low status within medicine. The influence of medical and psychiatric institutions on the understanding and management of socially deviant behaviours is correspondingly small and the range of available mental health services is quite limited.

Mental Health Beliefs, Practices, and Knowledge of Chinese American Immigrant Women

The purpose of this study was to describe the mental health beliefs and practices of Chinese American immigrant women. A two-part design using both qualitative and quantitative techniques was employed. The first step utilized focus group (n = 14) and key informant (n = 2) interviews to discover the beliefs, practices, and knowledge about mental health of this population. Content analysis was used to examine and condense the qualitative data. After completion of the qualitative component, 72 women were recruited to complete a set of questionnaires, which included a demographic questionnaire, culture and work subscale, and the mental health portion of the Health Behavior Scale of the Survey of Chinese American Mental Health (NRCAAMH, 1993). Pearson product-moment correlations and regression analysis were used to analyze the quantitative data. Content analysis found that the cultural value placed on the avoidance of shame, pragmatism that results in the use of both Western and traditional Chinese practitioners and treatments, and the inadequacy of Western-type services to meet the needs of the Chinese American immigrant population act as barriers to utilization of these services. These results are cross-validated by the quantitative findings. The importance of culture in determining the pathway to care was supported by the finding that higher levels of acculturation are related to greater use of mental health services.

Book Review: Chinese Culture and Mental Health

Book Review: Chinese Culture and Mental Health

Chinese Culture and Mental Health. Edited by Wen-Sheng Tseng and David Y. H. Wu. [Orlando, Florida: Academic Press, 1985. 412 pp. $49.50.

Chinese Culture and Mental Health. Edited by Wen-Sheng Tseng and David Y. H. Wu. [Orlando, Florida: Academic Press, 1985. 412 pp. $49.50.

Review: Chinese Culture and Mental Health edited by Wen-Shing Tseng and David Y. H. Wu

Review: <i>Chinese Culture and Mental Health</i> edited by Wen-Shing Tseng and David Y. H. Wu