The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #47809

Ruth B. Pickard, PhD, Dept. of Public Health Sciences, Witchita State University, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260-0152, 316-978+5637, rpickard@kscable.com, Terry Huynh, BS, University of Kansas School of Medicine - Kansas City, 4405 Francis St., Kansas City, KS 66103-3532, and Nhon Vo, Healthy Options for Planeview (HOP), 3620 E. Sunnybrook, Suite C, Wichita, KS 67210.

Although Vietnamese is one of the fastest growing population groups in the U.S., western journals report few culturally proficient scientific studies of their mental health. We describe research on depression conducted among culturally and linguistically isolated residents of a low-income, richly diverse neighborhood in a medium-size Midwestern city. Respondents were selected from among Vietnamese participants in our previous community survey. Twenty-three of the 30 re-contacted individuals, agreed to the in-depth mental health interviews conducted in the respondents’ preferred language. Our instrument included the Vietnamese Depression Scale, a 21-item Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identify Acculturation Scale, and a trauma checklist. Additionally, we sought information on attitudes toward help-seeking for mental health symptoms and satisfaction with care provided. The male interviewer, who was bi-lingual in Vietnamese and English, was accompanied by a respected 70-year old male outreach worker, well known among the neighbors. Twenty complete interviews of first-generation Vietnamese were analyzed using Nud*ist qualitative software. Respondent ages ranged from 28 to 75. Nearly all associated with “only” or “mostly Asian” others. About 2/3 were unemployed and 1/3 had less than 6 years of education. Sixty percent reported at least one major traumatic experience such as (witnessing) violent death, rape, robbery, torture, or natural disaster. Of those 12 individuals who sought care for somatic symptoms related to depression, all except 1 consulted an Asian physician. However, only the American physician offered a diagnosis of depression. Further analyses and their culturally relevant implications will be reported.

Learning Objectives: At its conclusion, the participant in this session will be able to

• Identify at least four key cultural barriers to mental health care faced by Vietnamese immigrants in the U.S.
• Describe the relationship between self-reported depression and previous traumatic experiences among participants in the research presented
• Relate the findings to implications for the delivery of culturally competent services

Keywords: Mental Health, Immigrants

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Healthy Options for Planeview (HOP,) a community-campus education and health outreach program in a low-income, diverse neighborhood. Services provided by faculty, students, VISTAs, volunteers and neighbors
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I serve as the acting director of HOP but receive no remuneration for doing so. We sometimes receive grants for HOP projects. The reported research is, to date, unfunded.