title: Culture- and Immigration-Related Stress Faced by Chinese American Families with a Patient Having Schizophrenia.
abstract: The impact of culture and immigration on the experience of Chinese American families with a member having schizophrenia is explored within the frameworks of family systems and stress and coping. This qualitative study was conducted within an intervention study of family psychoeducation using therapists' session notes from 103 family sessions and 13 relatives' group sessions from nine patients and 19 relatives. The high stigma attached to mental illness leading to social isolation, and families' devotion to caregiving exacerbated caregiver burden. Taboo against discussing dating and sexuality and the consideration of arranged marriages caused unique stress. The insecurity as immigrants and shortage of bilingual services were related to greater enmeshment within these families. Implications on research methodology and practice are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Fordham University.
authors.forename: Winnie W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Kung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D065246:Culturally Competent Care / Q000592:standards; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000208:ethnology*; D057545:Social Stigma; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology*; D055815:Young Adult