Main description:

Today there is an overall greater awareness and acceptance of ethnic diversity in American society and a clearer definition of the United States as a pluralistic nation. The last U.S. census showed that well over 100 million Americans, white and non white, identify with an ethnic group. Ethnicity is indicative of more than the personal distinc tiveness derived from race, religion, national origin, or ge ography. It denotes the culture of people-that powerful yet subtle factor that shapes values, attitudes, perceptions, needs, modes of expression, patterns of behavior, and identity. From a clinical perspective ethnicity involves conscious and uncon scious processes that fulfill deep psychological needs for se curity, a sense of one's own proper dignity, and a sense of historical continuity as well. These functional aspects of eth nicity reinforce the notion that culture is of significant value to the quality of life and the mental health of all individuals. In the preventive and therapeutic sense, ethnicity sustains a capacity for coping with stress by providing communal support systems which serve to buffer the excessive indi vidualism, alienation, and anomie of modem mass culture. Hence, to ensure appropriate delivery of mental health ser vices to a particular ethnic population, mental health profes sionals must first become cognizant of the positive aspects vii FOREWORD viii and strengths to be drawn from a particular group identity and then incorporate these elements into their treatment strat egies or techniques.

Contents:

1. Introduction.- Ethnicity.- Social Class and Ethnicity.- Race.- Minorities.- Group Differences and Mental Health.- References.- 2. The Mental Health of Black Americans: Psychiatric Diagnosis and Treatment.- Diagnosis, Myths, and Stereotypes.- Problems Related to Treatment.- Folk Medicine Healing.- Special Problems Related to the Treatment of Black Patients.- Special Problems Related to Somatic Therapy.- Summation.- References.- 3. Hispanics: Psychiatric Issues.- Cultural Considerations.- Clinical Diagnosis and Psychopathology.- Therapy.- Conclusion.- References.- 4. Therapy for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.- The Asian American and Pacific Islander Experience.- The Chinese Experience.- Impact of the Anti-Chinese Legislative Acts.- Mental Health: Myths and Realities.- Mental Health Needs of Chinese Americans.- Deviant Behavior in Chinese.- The Filipino Experience.- The Filipino Community in the United States.- Mental Health Problems of Filipinos.- Mental Health of Filipino Americans.- Summary Statement for All Asian Americans.- The Importance of Generation.- Mental Health Needs of Asian Americans.- Variations According to Ethnicity.- Difference of the Generations of Asians and Pacific Islanders.- Tests, Rating Scales, and Interview Schedules.- Alternative Services.- Rehabilitation Services for Asians and Pacific Islanders.- Community Outreach.- Campaigns to Improve Acceptability of Services.- Research in Asian and Pacific Islander Populations.- The Use of Native Healers and Indigenous Methods.- Summary.- Therapy with Filipino Patients.- Therapy with Korean Patients.- Therapy with Japanese Patients.- Therapy with Chinese Patients.- Therapy with Vietnamese Patients.- Therapy with Samoans.- References.- 5. An Integrative Approach to American Indian Mental Health.- Precontact Period.- The Manifest Destiny Era: 1492-1890.- The Assimilation Era: 1890-1970.- Indian Self-Determination.- Today's Mental Health Problems and Programs in American Indian Communities.- "Traditional" Definitions of Sickness and Types of Healing.- Benefits of Integration.- Methods of Integration.- Future Directions.- Appendix (Chronology).- References.