Manifestation, Attribution, and Coping With Depression Among Asian Indians From the Perspectives of Health Care Practitioners

The study explores cultural influences on depression and care outcomes among Asian Indians with depression. Data were collected from interviews of 23 multidisciplinary mental health professionals and retrospective review of 20 medical records of patients. Findings revealed a major influence of socia...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of transcultural nursing 2005-01, Vol.16 (1), p.32-40
Main Authors: Conrad, Margaret M., Pacquiao, Dula F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Asian Americans - education
Asian Americans - ethnology
Attitude of Health Personnel - ethnology
Attitude to Health - ethnology
Communication
Coping
Denial (Psychology)
Depressive Disorder - ethnology
Depressive Disorder - etiology
Depressive Disorder - prevention & control
Emigration and Immigration
Family - psychology
Female
Gender Identity
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Hinduism - psychology
Hospitals, Psychiatric
Humans
India - ethnology
Male
Mental depression
New Jersey - epidemiology
Nursing
Nursing Methodology Research
Personnel, Hospital - psychology
Professional-Patient Relations
Qualitative Research
Retrospective Studies
Stereotyping
Surveys and Questionnaires
Transcultural nursing
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Summary:The study explores cultural influences on depression and care outcomes among Asian Indians with depression. Data were collected from interviews of 23 multidisciplinary mental health professionals and retrospective review of 20 medical records of patients. Findings revealed a major influence of social and cultural context in expression of symptoms, illness attribution, help-seeking behaviors, and communication patterns. Religious beliefs and social stigma attached to mental illness contributed to prolonged denial of condition, difficulty in sharing emotional problems with professional caregivers, and delayed professional intervention. The traditional family hierarchy rooted in age and gender inequality interfered with help-seeking behaviors and adherence to prescribed regimen as well as heightened some family conflicts and hindered family adaptation after migration to the United States.
ISSN:1043-6596
1552-7832
DOI:10.1177/1043659604271239