222358 Psychological needs of Japanese American elders: Implications for culturally competent interventions

Monday, November 8, 2010

Sayaka Machizawa, PsyD , Community Partnerships, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL
Denys T. Lau, PhD , Department of Pharmacy Administration, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
OBJECTIVE: To explore the psychological needs of Nikkei (individuals of Japanese ancestry) elders that might influence their treatment seeking behaviors and service preferences. METHODS: We conducted in-depth, qualitative interviews with multiple community sources, including 41 Nikkei elders; 11 adult family members, friends, or personal caregivers; and 8 professional providers who served Nikkei elders in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. Data were analyzed using the Atlas.ti software. Applying the life course perspective, we aimed to understand similarities and differences among Nikkei elders in terms of their psychological needs. RESULTS: Nikkei elders shared five psychological needs including independence, cultural connection, social connection, feeling useful, and maintaining pride and dignity. Variations in psychological needs among Nikkei elders existed according to life experiences, generation, acculturation level, gender, socioeconomic status, and proximity to family members. CONCLUSION: Our findings will inform future development of community-based service programs to better target and meet the diverse health and service needs of Nikkei elders living in the Chicago area.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
1) To describe the psychological needs of Nikkei (individuals of Japanese ancestry) elders living in the Chicago metropolitan area that might influence their treatment seeking behaviors and service preferences. 2) To explain variations in psychological needs among Nikkei elders according to the life course perspective.

Keywords: Asian Americans, Minority Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the P.I. of the United Way grant award that funded this project being presented.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3259.0: Immigrant and Minority Issues in Aging