Perceptions of mental illness and related stigma among Vietnamese populations: findings from a mixed method study.
Mental-illness-related (MIR) stigma is recognized as a major barrier to health care. Yet very little is known about mental illness and stigma among Vietnamese populations, or how emigration and acculturation processes might affect traditional views. Focus group discussions were conducted with Vietnamese Americans in New Orleans (Louisiana) and Vietnamese nationals in Bui Chu (Vietnam), who shared historical and cultural backgrounds, in 2010 to assess differences in their perceptions of mental illness and stigma. Results show several significant differences in mental illness perceptions between Vietnamese Americans and Vietnamese nationals, while MIR stigma seemed prevalent and understanding of mental illness was low among both groups.
Department of Global Health Systems and Development, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Mai
M
Do
Nhu Ngoc K
NN
Pham
Stacy
S
Wallick
Bonnie Kaul
BK
Nastasi
D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D055820:New Orleans / Q000453:epidemiology; D013240:Stereotyping; D014744:Vietnam / Q000208:ethnology