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Mental health of Filipino Americans

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The mental health of Filipino Americans is emotional and cognitive status of Americans of Filipino descent. Filipino Americans are more likely to suffer from mental illness than other Asian Americans due to a variety of social and economic factors.[1] Filipino-Americans utilize mental health services less than some Asian-American groups.[2]

Mental illness

Suicide

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, young Filipino women are more likely to have suicide ideation than most minorities. However, there are lower rates of committing suicide among Filipinos than Caucasians or some Asian groups.[3] Lower rates of suicide in Filipino-Americans are attributed to the influence of Catholicism in Filipino culture and the availability of social support from extended family.[3]

Depression

13.6% of Filipino-Americans are diagnosed with depression. Filipino-Americans have higher rates of depression compared to other Asian-Americans (with the exception being other Southeast Asian and some South Asian American ethnic groups), Caucasians, and the majority of the American population.[4] Filipino-Americans are estimated to have twice the depression rate as Chinese-Americans.[5] U.S. born Filipino-Americans have greater depression rates than Filipino-American immigrants, which may be because of a stronger ethnic identity in immigrants compared to US-born Filipinos.[4] Mothers in Filipino-American families have higher rates of acute depression than mothers of other Asian-American backgrounds.[6]

According to the findings of a study by Napholz and Wenbin, Filipina-American working women who have an equal commitment to work and relationships report having have less depression, higher self-esteem, higher life satisfaction, and lesser levels of role conflict than women who are committed to either work or relationships.[7]

In a study in Cebu, Philippines, it found that the multigenerational living arrangements of Midlife Filipina women in relation to their family, affects their mental health[8]. For example, living in a larger household reported a higher score of depressive symptoms in mid-life Filipina women, due to stress brought on by caregiving duties and loss of privacy and control.[8]  Co-residency of adult females with their older parents, affect their mental health based on the power dynamics and their role in the family. For example, the mental and physical health of a younger adult female in the family may suffer if she is at the bottom of the hierarchy, compared to that of an older adult female in the family who may have more power and respect in the family.[8] Having life transitions, such as losing a spouse, resulted in increasing depressive symptoms; and intergenerational co-residency, for example, transitioning from having grandchildren to no longer living with grandchildren, resulted in decreasing depressive symptoms.[8]

Filipina-American and Asian American and Pacific Islander immigrants are less likely, than any other minority group, to seek mental health care and treatment because of stigma attributed to shaming the family, self-reliance, and being reserved.[7]  

Support groups and religious networks are agencies that Filipina immigrants use to alleviate the stress of adapting in another country.[9]  Providing psychoeducation and having culturally competent mental health providers are what would be helpful in the context of mental health treatment, as well as more studies and research on Filipina’s role commitment and interventions, are necessary. [7]

Causes

Colonialism

The after-effects of colonialism (American colonization of the Philippines from 1898 to 1946) still influence some Filipino-American immigrants.[10][11] One large effect of American colonialism on Filipino-Americans' mental health is colonial mentality.[12] Compared to Asian Pacific Islanders, Filipinos are more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. Studies show that Asian Americans have more serious disorders and have more prolonged stays at mental institutions than Caucasians.[1]

Immigration

Immigration is associated with mental illness in Filipinos. Filipino immigrants take part in fewer mental health services than other Americans. Filipino Americans were once immigrants.[13] Filipinos are one of the largest groups of Asian-American immigrants. About 1.66 million Filipinos are immigrants.[14] Some Filipino immigrants do not apply for programs such as Medicaid because they are worried that it would reduce their chances of becoming citizens.[15] FIlipino immigrants can also face racial discrimination, which is associated with depression and increased substance use.[16]

Asian American immigrants are diagnosed with depression for various factors, such as not understanding English or inability to take health exams.[13] The Filipino American Community Epidemiological Study (FACES) examined situations that may cause mental illness in Filipino immigrants. Employment worries increase stress, which can cause mental illness.[14] Males who do not know English well enough are more prone to mental illness than English speakers. Female immigrants were more likely to have long-term disorders. Males are more susceptible to disorders that lead them to depend on alcohol and drugs.[17]

Hiya

Hiya, a Tagalog word defined as "a sense of shame, loss of face, or embarrassment," plays a role in Filipino-Americans' use of mental health services. Hiya plays a negative role in Filipinos' ability to seek help from mental health professionals.[2][3] The fear of bringing shame to oneself and the family can prevent Filipinos from seeking professional mental health aid.[2] Hiya can also cause Filipinos to seek anonymous, online mental health help instead of in-person professional help.[2]

Models of Filipino-American identity and experience

Several models have been constructed to characterize the Filipino-American experience. These theories include the Identity Development Model, colonial mentality and the Model Minority Myth.[18]

Identity development model

Filipino Americans experience racial and ethnic identity development in a different way, than other Asian American groups. The Philippines was colonized by Spain for over 300 years, and came to partially identify itself with Spain.[18] However, Filipino Americans also identify with Asian and/or Pacific Islanders, leaving Filipino Americans with the possibility of multiple (or compound) racial and ethnic identities. The identity development model contains six stages that Filipino Americans may experience as they develop their identity. These stages include: ethnic awareness, assimilation to American culture, awareness of socio-political differences, Panethnic Asian American consciousness, ethnocentric realization and introspection or acceptance.[18]

Ethnic awareness develops when an individual becomes aware of the culture associated with their ethnicity. This includes language, social activities, food, music and traditions. Typically this stage arrives during childhood.[18] During the assimilation stage, the individual notices the differences between her ethnic culture and other cultures and assimilates with one or more such cultures. Typically this is some flavor of American culture.[18] American values and traits are typically presented as preferable or even superior. For example, skin-whitening and bleaching products are promoted as a way to become more attractive.[10]

During the "Awareness of Social/Political Differences" stage, Filipino Americans become actively aware of traits that separate them from other cultures, often sensitized by racial and cultural injustices. Differences can be interpreted positively (e.g., by coming to appreciate Filipino culture) or negatively (via experiencing racism).[18]

The "Panethnic Asian-American Consciousness" stage occurs when individuals begin to associate with individuals of other Asian American groups and learn that such groups have much in common with them.[18]

The "Ethnocentric Identity and Introspection" stage is the rejection of a broader Asian American identity and in favor or a specific Filipino identity.[18]

The final Introspection stage is the acceptance of their other identities (e.g., as an Asian) without rejecting their Filipino heritage.[18]

Colonial mentality

Colonial mentality is a form of internalized oppression in which an individual feels inferior because his heritage includes the experience of colonization. This mentality makes individuals feel the need to associate more towards American and/or Spanish values and traditions rather than their own, perceiving their colonizer to be superior.[18] Filipinos hold varying degrees of colonial mentality.[19] However, at least 50% of Filipino-Americans hold some form of colonial mentality.[19]

Cultural identity crisis may also reinforce colonial mentality through Filipino-Americans experiencing confusion on what encompasses authentic Filipino identity and culture. [19] This leads many Filipino-Americans to believe there is no truly authentic Filipino culture and that FIlipinos are consequently inferior to Whiteness.[19]

Colonial mentality has been shown to impact the psychological well-being of Filipino Americans. Those strongly affected are more likely to have low self-esteem and could develop symptoms of depression more often than others.[18] Colonial mentality impacts self-esteem and weakens ethnic identity, which can negatively impact mental health.[12][20] The four levels of impact on an individual: self-denigration, lack of appreciation of Filipino culture, discrimination against less-cultured individuals, and tolerance and acceptance of oppression by non-Filipinos.

Model minority

Model minority is a stereotypical assumption that members of a particular ethnic group excel in areas of behavior and education.[21] Stereotypes that apply specifically to Filipino Americans include: low divorce rate, propensity to speak English better than other Asian Americans and lower poverty rate among Asian Americans.[18] Stereotypes of Filipino Americans include academic success among women.[22]

Model minority stereotypes pressure Filipino Americans to live up to their image. Students have been seen to question whether or not they are actually Asian if they are unable to match the stereotype.[22] This affects the self-esteem of individuals.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Sentell T, Unick GJ, Ahn HJ, Braun KL, Miyamura J, Shumway M (November 2013). "Illness severity and psychiatric hospitalization rates among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders". Psychiatric Services. 64 (11): 1095–102. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201200408. PMC 4696860. PMID 23945849.
  2. ^ a b c d Tuliao, Antover P. (2014-07-03). "Mental health help seeking among Filipinos: a review of the literature". Asia Pacific Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy. 5 (2): 124–136. doi:10.1080/21507686.2014.913641. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |name-list-format= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b c Sanchez F, Gaw A (June 2007). "Mental health care of Filipino Americans". Psychiatric Services. 58 (6): 810–5. doi:10.1176/ps.2007.58.6.810. PMID 17535941.
  4. ^ a b Mossakowski, Krysia N. (September 2007). "Are Immigrants Healthier? The Case of Depression among Filipino Americans". Social Psychology Quarterly. 70 (3): 290–304. doi:10.1177/019027250707000307. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |name-list-format= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Kim HJ, Park E, Storr CL, Tran K, Juon HS (2015-06-01). Voracek M (ed.). "Depression among Asian-American Adults in the Community: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis". PLOS ONE. 10 (6): e0127760. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0127760. PMC 4452590. PMID 26029911.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  6. ^ Javier JR, Supan J, Lansang A, Beyer W, Kubicek K, Palinkas LA (December 2014). "Preventing Filipino Mental Health Disparities: Perspectives from Adolescents, Caregivers, Providers, and Advocates". Asian American Journal of Psychology. 5 (4): 316–324. doi:10.1037/a0036479. PMC 4319658. PMID 25667725.
  7. ^ a b c Napholz L, Mo W (February 2010). "Attribution of importance to life roles and their implications for mental health among Filipino American working women". Health Care for Women International. 31 (2): 179–96. doi:10.1080/07399330903342215. PMID 20390645.
  8. ^ a b c d Chen F, Bao L, Shattuck RM, Borja JB, Gultiano S (February 2017). "Implications of Changes in Family Structure and Composition for the Psychological Well-Being of Filipino Women in Middle and Later Years". Research on Aging. 39 (2): 275–299. doi:10.1177/0164027515611181. PMC 4834059. PMID 26475652.
  9. ^ Straiton ML, Ledesma HM, Donnelly TT (September 2017). "A qualitative study of Filipina immigrants' stress, distress and coping: the impact of their multiple, transnational roles as women". BMC Women's Health. 17 (1): 72. doi:10.1186/s12905-017-0429-4. PMC 5584031. PMID 28870195.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  10. ^ a b David EJ, Nadal KL (July 2013). "The colonial context of Filipino American immigrants' psychological experiences". Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology. 19 (3): 298–309. doi:10.1037/a0032903. PMID 23875854.
  11. ^ Obligacion, Freddie R.; Obligacion-Arboleda, Julie (1994). "The Filipino Immigration Story: A Selective Literature Review". International Review of Modern Sociology. 24 (2): 49–66. JSTOR 41420413. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |name-list-format= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b David EJ (April 2008). "A colonial mentality model of depression for Filipino Americans". Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology. 14 (2): 118–27. doi:10.1037/1099-9809.14.2.118. PMID 18426284.
  13. ^ a b Kim HJ, Park E, Storr CL, Tran K, Juon HS (2015). "Depression among Asian-American Adults in the Community: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis". PLOS ONE. 10 (6): e0127760. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0127760. PMC 4452590. PMID 26029911.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  14. ^ a b Tsai JH, Thompson EA (September 2013). "Impact of social discrimination, job concerns, and social support on Filipino immigrant worker mental health and substance use". American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 56 (9): 1082–94. doi:10.1002/ajim.22223. PMID 23794397.
  15. ^ "Mental Health Care for Asian Americans and Pacific. In Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity—A Supplement to Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General" (PDF). Washington, D.C.:Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(US); Office of the Surgeon General (US); Center for Mental Health Services (US).; National Institute of Mental Health (US). 2001. pp. 107–126.
  16. ^ de Castro AB, Gee GC, Takeuchi DT (December 2008). "Job-related stress and chronic health conditions among Filipino immigrants". Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. 10 (6): 551–8. doi:10.1007/s10903-008-9138-2. PMC 2797443. PMID 18373275.
  17. ^ Takeuchi DT, Zane N, Hong S, Chae DH, Gong F, Gee GC, Walton E, Sue S, Alegría M (January 2007). "Immigration-related factors and mental disorders among Asian Americans". American Journal of Public Health. 97 (1): 84–90. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2006.088401. PMC 1716230. PMID 17138908.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Nadal, Kevin L. (2011). Filipino American Psychology: A Handbook of Theory, Research, and Clinical Practice. Wiley. doi:10.1002/9781118094747. ISBN 978-1-118-09474-7. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |name-list-format= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ a b c d David, E.J.R. (2013). Brown Skin, White Minds. Charlotte, North Carolina: Information Age Publishing. pp. 63–64. ISBN 1623962072.
  20. ^ Mossakowski KN (September 2003). "Coping with perceived discrimination: does ethnic identity protect mental health?". Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 44 (3): 318–31. doi:10.2307/1519782. JSTOR 1519782. PMID 14582311.
  21. ^ Museus, Samuel D. (2009). Conducting research on Asian Americans in higher education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. OCLC 435641177. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |name-list-format= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ a b Ocampo, Anthony C. (2013-10-09). ""Am I Really Asian?": Educational Experiences and Panethnic Identification among Second–Generation Filipino Americans". Journal of Asian American Studies. 16 (3): 295–324. doi:10.1353/jaas.2013.0032. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |name-list-format= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)
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