Acculturation as a predictor of attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help in the Hmong community
Author(s):
Fang, Bruce Ko
Format:
Thesis
Degree granted:
Ph.D.
Publisher:
Ann Arbor : California School of Professional Psychology - Fresno, 1998.
Pages:
211
Language:
English
Abstract:
One hundred twenty-six adult Hmong refugees from five communities in California participated in this study. It examined the relationship between demographic variables and levels of acculturation in predicting Hmong refugees, attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help for psychological difficulties. The Hmong people were recent refugees from Laos who have experienced difficulties acculturating. These people experienced great emotional stress resulting from geographical dislocations and ware in Southeast Asia. Two instruments were used in this investigation. The Acculturation Measure Scale (Berry, Kim, Power, Young, & Bujaki, 1989) was used to measure for levels of acculturation. This instrument classified participants into four modes of adaptation: assimilation (Americanized), integration (bicultural), separation (traditional), and marginalization (alienated). It was predicted that acculturation status would be associated with help-seeking behavior derived from the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (Fischer & Turner, 1970). About 92% of the respondents reported that they were bicultural, culturally integrated. A one-way analysis of variance indicated that years of education in the United States was an important predictor of ATSPPHS scores. English proficiency and education obtained in the U.S. were significantly associated with attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. Individuals who completed the Hmong version of the survey tended to express more positive attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help compared to participants who completed the English version. Participants who chose the Hmong version of the survey tended to be older and less literate in English and Hmong languages than those who chose the English version. Delivery of mental health services to Hmong refugees may consider their levels of acculturation and their educational background. Hmong refugees could benefit from mental health services by learning about the Western mental health care system and knowing about psychiatric treatment. Psychoeducational programs about mental illness can be beneficial for those Hmong refugees who are not familiar with psychological disorders and those who understand little English. Such programs would also educate Hmong refugees about Western culture and general help-seeking behavior.