Health Services For Ethnic Minorities Research Articles

A preliminary study on the relationship between cultural identification, racial discrimination, and well-being of Chinese Malaysians Young adults

It was well documented that racial minorities struggle with discrimination that jeopardizes their mental well-being. However, the interaction between cultural identification (CI) and mother tongue (MT) on perceived discrimination among minority communities was unclear. This study adopted a cross-sectional survey to investigate how different Chinese in Malaysia (CIM) groups experience in-group versus out-group discrimination based on their MT, and its impact on well-being. We hypothesized that (1) different CIM-MT groups would differ in their in-group discriminations; (2) there would be a pathway from CI to discrimination and to mental well-being; (3) MT would have a moderation effect on the pathway. A standardized online survey measuring CI (national vs. ethnic), perceived discrimination (in-group vs. out-group), and mental well-being (life satisfaction vs. mental distress) was administered to CIM college students. Analysis using ANCOVA and PLS-SEM (N = 288) showed that the English-MT group reported higher in-group discrimination than the Chinese-MT group. Moreover, the PLS-SEM analysis showed that ethnic identity, not national identity, displayed a significant negative association with in-group discrimination, which then significantly predicted mental distress in general. Furthermore, MT was a significant moderator between national identity and out-group discrimination. The findings confirmed that MT could predispose CIM to different exposure of racial dynamics and contexts. In lieu of the detrimental effect of both forms of racial discrimination, we advocate for culturally responsive mental health services for ethnic minorities around the world.

A qualitative study exploring the factors influencing perceptions of mental illness and coping strategies in ethnic minority populations experiencing negative mood symptoms in Hong Kong

• Ethnic minorities often face barriers to accessing health services, particularly mental health services. The reasons for this are complicated but rarely described in the literature. • This study seeks to address this research gap by examining the conceptualization of mental illness and perceived barriers to mental health service utilization. • The findings highlight the importance of considering sociocultural factors when planning mental health services for ethnic minorities.

Ensuring rights to access health services for ethnic minorities in Vietnam in current context

Ensuring rights to access health services for ethnic minorities in Vietnam in current context

Intimate Partner Violence Among Asian Americans and Their Use of Mental Health Services: Comparisons with White, Black, and Latino Victims

Studies have been conducted on intimate partner violence (IPV) among Asian Americans, but knowledge on their use of mental health services is limited. This study seeks to fill this gap by using a national sample to examine Asian victims' use of mental health services. We analyzed data from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys. The dependent variable was use of mental health services. The independent variables included race, employment, and the type of IPV. Results showed that Asian victims used the service less than other racial groups. The rates of use of mental health services were lower among older people and men. The lowest rate of mental health service use among Asian victims indicates a possible gap between their needs to be met and mental health services available to them. It is crucial to increase access to mental health services for ethnic minorities.

Bridging the Gaps: Refugee Community Organisations and the Provision of Mental Health Services in the London Borough of Camden, UK

This research project explored how refugee community organisations (RCOs) could become more involved in the government's health agenda to improve the level of consultation and responsiveness in the design and provision of mental health services for ethnic minorities. The method involved a review of relevant literature, interviews with refugee community organisation leaders and community workers, and a survey of refugee service users' involvement with RCOs. The research found that the causes and effects of mental ill health in refugees as understood by interviewees were consistent with much of the literature in this area. The mental health needs of refugees are very similar across nationalities and ethnicities, and distinct from those of the general population and of other migrant groups. Appropriate responses, as understood by community leaders and professional community workers, are currently only partly and insufficiently provided by statutory health services, and there is extensive unmet need.

Self-harm in British South Asian women: psychosocial correlates and strategies for prevention

ObjectiveTo review the rates of self-harm in British South Asian women, look into the factors that contribute to these high rates of self-harm and discuss possible strategies for prevention and provision of culturally sensitive service for South Asian women who harm themselves.MethodReview.ResultsSouth Asian women are significantly more likely to self harm between ages 16–24 years than white women. Across all age groups the rates of self harm are lower in South Asian men as compared to South Asian women. These women are generally younger, likely to be married and less likely to be unemployed or use alcohol or other drugs. They report more relationship problems within the family. South Asian women are less likely to attend the ER with repeat episode since they hold the view that mainstream services do not meet their needs.ConclusionSouth Asian women are at an increased risk of self harm. Their demographic characteristics, precipitating factors and clinical management are different than whites. There is an urgent need for all those concerned with the mental health services for ethnic minorities to take positive action and eradicate the barriers that prevent British South Asians from seeking help. There is a need to move away from stereotypes and overgeneralisations and start from the user's frame of reference, taking into account family dynamics, belief systems and cultural constraints.

Risk of HIV/AIDS infection. Access and utilization of health services in a migrant community.

The recent trend concerning HIV/AIDS infection in Portugal has been worsening, with a total of 18995 cases of infection notified by the end of 2001. African immigrants are generally regarded as a particularly vulnerable group to this problem. Data on health service utilisation also indicates that they are under -- represented among service users, particularly for Sexual and Reproductive Health. The main objectives of this study were to characterise the resident population, to identify and understand knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding HIV/AIDS problems, and obstacles to service utilisation. The study was conducted among individuals aged fifteen years and above, living in a migrant community in the Greater Lisbon area. Data has been collected through community surveys and collective interviews. Results suggest that existing beliefs, attitudes and knowledge may, though indirectly, increase the risk for infection among the residents of the study area. Some of the factors that may act as deterrents to service utilisation are identified. The results of the study stress the need for government health policies and activities from other agencies focusing on improved access to health services for ethnic minorities, as well as intervention programs tailored specifically towards the needs of each community.

Providing culturally competent health services for ethnic minorities.

This article discusses the findings of a scholarship project aimed at gaining an understanding of the health needs of African and Caribbean older people and determining how these service-users perceive their needs are being met. It found that while practitioners were generally keen to provide a culturally appropriate service, some users thought their knowledge, attitudes and skills, particularly in communication, were a major source of concern.

Providing culturally competent health services for ethnic minorities

This article discusses the findings of a scholarship project aimed at gaining an understanding of the health needs of African and Caribbean older people and determining how these service-users perceive their needs are being met. It found that while practitioners were generally keen to provide a culturally appropriate service, some users thought their knowledge, attitudes and skills, particularly in communication, were a major source of concern.

Knowledge and attitudes in multicultural health care.

Health professionals' knowledge of ethnic minority cultures and lifestyles was assessed to determine whether the respondents' cultural background and experience of working with ethnic minorities affected the health care delivered by them and to assess the need for training. Improving access to health services for ethnic minorities requires continuing education and training of all health professionals.

The Client Cultural Competence Inventory: An Instrument for Assessing Cultural Competence in Behavioral Managed Care Organizations

The rapid growth in Behavioral Managed Care Organizations has led to increasing concern about the future availability of culturally competent mental health services for ethnic minorities. Prior efforts to assess cultural competence of mental health services have focused exclusively on agency providers and individual mental health professionals rather than on clients' perceptions of care. We introduce the Client Cultural Competence Inventory, which has several advantages over other cultural competence measures including its (a) lower susceptibility to social desirability bias, (b) ability to assess attitudes concerning a broader range of therapists, providers and plans, and (c) focus on clients rather than the psychiatric community as the central force in determining cultural competence. Preliminary psychometric analyses of the inventory are presented from data gathered in a group of parents with children who are severely emotionally disturbed.

Delivering Health Services for Ethnic Minorities in Regional Australia

Recent articles in the print media have served to highlight the fact that health services in regional Australia are inadequately servicing the needs of ethnic minorities. Despite an increased awareness of the need for culturally appropriate services in more recent years, Australia, as one of the most ethno-culturally diverse nations in the world, still largely relies on the patriarchal biomedical model of health care, which has a pathogenic approach, focusing on why people fall sick and on treatment, rather than on communication between the client and the professional health care worker. Such practice, while well-intentioned, detracts from the ability of regional health services to adequately service the needs of a culturally diverse client group and, in turn, de-emphasises the clear link which has now been established between culture and health.