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Culture & psychopathology
Essays on cross cultural mental health
Essays on cross cultural mental health
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The Latino community is considered the largest demographic minority in the United States and is expect to increase by approximately 15% in 2050 (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2002). The Latino population is comprised of many subgroups from many different regions that have developed unique beliefs, norms, and sociopolitical experiences. Although the term Latino is used throughout this paper, it is important to underscore the great diversity found within the Latino community to avoid the development and perpetuation of stereotypes. In clinical practice, it is important to evaluate the individual in terms of their racial identity, acculturation, and socioeconomic status among other factors to create a more individualized and effective treatment …show more content…
Social problems include difficulties with family relationships, isolation, interpersonal conflicts, and pressures of social roles. The Latino culture tends to place a higher premium on the well-being of the family unit over that of any one family member, a concept termed familialism (Smith & Montilla, 2006). In general, familialism emphasizes interdependence and connectedness in the family, and often extends familial ties beyond the nuclear family (Falicov, 1998). Given these values, Latinos often describe depression in terms of social withdrawal and isolation (Letamendi, et al., 2013). Social roles also play an important role in mental health, traditional gender roles in particular are strongly enforced and can be a source of distress. In Latino culture, men and women are expected to fulfill the roles outlined in the traditions of Machismo and Marianismo respectively. Machismo indicates that the man is supposed to be strong and authoritative, while Marianismo designates the woman as the heart of the family both morally and emotionally (Dreby, 2006). Although there is little research on causal factors, adherence to these traditional gender roles can pose a psychological burden and has been found to be strong predictor of depression (Nuñez, et al., 2015). The centrality of social problems in the conceptualization of depression for Latinos may be reflective of the collectivistic values that are characteristic of the group. Although these values have the potential to contribute to depression, they also have the potential to serve as protective factors and promote mental health (Holleran & Waller, 2003). Therefore, it is imperative that the counselor carefully consider cultural values, both in terms of potential benefits and drawbacks, to provide appropriate counseling to the Latino
Cultural differences may lead doctors to misdiagnose Latinos. For instance, Latinos may describe the symptoms of depression as “nervios” (nervousness), tiredness or a physical ailment. These symptoms are consistent with depression, but doctors who are not aware of how culture influences mental health may not recognize that these could be signs of depression.
The city of Chelsea is located two miles outside of Boston, MA. and has a total land area of 2.21 square miles. Chelsea has been named the smallest city in Massachusetts and as of 2010 was listed number twenty-six on the list of most densely populated cities or towns in the entire country with a 2010 census population total of 35,177. The city of Chelsea is home to countless of undocumented residents which makes it difficult to accurately assess the number of individuals that actually live in the city. I will be concentrating on the Latino populations that hail from Puerto Rico, Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala and the reasons as to why they may have chosen Chelsea, Massachusetts as their new home.
A question that every high school student is faced with is: “What extracurricular activities so you participate in?” Some can answer confidently while others are slapped with a moment of sudden realization. These people are just floating along with the crowd, with no driving force or motivation. What I believe differentiates me from my peers and gives me a sense of uniqueness, is what I do outside of my academia. Out of the deluge of activities that are available, Latinos In Action is the one that I feel the most passionate about and shapes my persona the most.
In both cultures, grandparents and elders are highly respected, the father holds most of the power and is the decision maker of the household, the mother is the caretaker of the household, and the children’s only responsibility is to go to school and receive an education. This is the case in almost every Hispanic family because they tend to keep traditional values. This hierarchy also occurs in traditional American families. It was always thought that the “absence of a father is destructive to children, particularly boys, because it means that children will lack the economic resources, role model, discipline, structure, and guidance that a father provides.” (Biblarz & Raftery, 1999) However, this is no longer the case. The differences between American family structures can be most clearly seen when separated by socioeconomic class. Now, studies have shown that “children from single-mother families do approximately as well as children from two-biological-parent families.” (Biblarz & Raftery, 1999) This encourages mothers to believe that a single-mother household is still successful. Therefore, the mother becomes the decision maker and caretaker. This concept also applies for opposite genders. In single-father households, the father is not only the decision maker but the caretaker as well. These family structural differences make way for another similarity in Hispanic and American cultures. Faith
As the Latino population in the United States continues to grow, U.S. Census Bureau, 2001, increasing attention is being turned toward understanding the risk and protective factors of immigrant Latino and U.S.-born Latino children and families. The demographic data relating to Latinos in the United States estimate that one of every two people added to the U.S population was Latino, in July 2009 Latino population was the fastest growing minority group U.S Census Bureau, 2010. Despite the increased risk of growing the immigrant families are in lower risk of Social Economic Status, having parents with less education and limited with language and knowledge about education. Immigrating to one place to another is often the most stressful event
Clara E. Rodriguez wrote an essay titled, "What It Means To Be Latino". On this essay she explains the difference between the terms Hispanic and Latino, elaborating on how the term "Hispanic" was created by the U.S. census in 1970, to use it as a general term to describe all of the people who came from, or, had parents who came from a Spanish speaking country. Then she states that the term "Latino", is a term considered to be more neutral and racially inclusive by many people of this population, although she made a good point of view, it still failed to describe the more complexity on the meaning of the term Latino.
Depression is a mental health disease, which sometimes goes undetected for many months or years in patients. There is not a certain characteristic the one has that says whether or not they will be affected by depression. Depression is like a rain cloud constantly hovering one or like a big black blanket that one cannot pull off of them. (Leung, LaChapelle, Scinta, & Olvera, 2014) states in a study it was report that “Mexican Americans were more likely than any other racial group to have a persistently high depressive symptoms trajectory. The study also found that Mexican American women had higher rates of depression than the men in this group. Depression is defined as a feeling of hopelessness.” Depression can be treated with medications like anti-depressants or Beta-Blockers. In some patients the mental illness never dissipates even with the help of
Delgado, Richard and Stefancic Jean. “The Shape of the Latino Group: Who Are We and What
“Where Latinos live greatly depends on when they came to the United States and one their economic class (Rodolfo Acuna 6).” The Latino community is rapidly becoming the most populated minority group within the United States. Latino is a diverse term for Spanish-speaking population often referring to Hispanic or Latino origin. A vast amount of Americans have Hispanic backgrounds among the United States population. The varied Latino cultures planted inside the United States society, population, and government now play a big part in the day to day life of the nation. The United States Latino community is beneficial as it provides a rich cultural diversity, contribute to the nation’s education and form profound influences within the society.
In this world we are constantly being categorized by our race and ethnicity, and for many people it’s hard to look beyond that. Even though in the past many stood up for equality and to stop racism and discrimination, it still occurs. In this nation of freedom and equality, there are still many people who believe that their race is superior to others. These beliefs are the ones that destroy our nation and affect the lives of many. The people affected are not limited by their age group, sex, social status, or by their education level. Their beliefs can cause them to attack other groups verbally or in silence and even reaching to the point of violence. All of this occurs because we can’t be seen as a “people”, but rather like “species” that need to be classified. An example of racism due to race and ethnicity as categories of identity is seen in the article written by Daphne Eviatar entitled “Report Finds Widespread Discrimination against Latino Immigrants in the South.” In this particular case white supremacy groups discriminate Hispanics that are both legal and illegal in the southern states of America, portraying several theoretical concepts.
Latinos have struggled to discover their place inside of a white America for too many years. Past stereotypes and across racism they have fought to belong. Still America is unwilling to open her arms to them. Instead she demands assimilation. With her pot full of stew she asks, "What flavor will you add to this brew?" Some question, some rebel, and others climb in. I argue that it is not the Latino who willingly agreed to partake in this stew. It is America who forced her ideals upon them through mass media and stale history. However her effort has failed, for they have refused to melt.
How are Hispanics getting help with English and what obstacles or barriers are they facing? That is an extremely good question. Everyday, more and more Hispanics are making a move to the United States in hopes of a better life. The only problem is that many of them can not speak any English at all. Since the United States is basically an English speaking nation, it is important that Hispanics learn English to be able to adjust to life within the United States. But, that is easier said than done because it is not easy to get Hispanics the help that they need in learning English. There have to be people who are willing to tutor and fund programs. Of course, there are always obstacles or barriers that stands in the way of progress.
Acculturation has been conceptualized as a bilinear process characterized by developing an orientation to both the dominant culture but also the culture of origin (Serrata & Fischer, 2013; Dettlaff et al., 2009, p. 4). However, acculturation is not simply a process that people go through, but rather it is part of the migration experience and thus people are very likely to experience acculturation stress. Acculturative stress results when individuals lack the necessary coping skill or means to interact and be successful in the new environment (Dettlaff et al., 2009, p.4).According to Arbona, Olvera, Rodriguez, Hagan, Linares, and Wiesner (2010) study, there are three major types of stressors among Latino immigrants: instrumental/environmental, social/interpersonal, and societal (p. 362). Instrumental/environmental stressors include challenges related to obtaining the goods and services needed for one’s daily existence.
Here in the United States many would like to believe that there is only one main group and a lot of minorities. Well those people are wrong and here is the reason why. A once major minority group known as the Hispanics have come up as not only a large part of the United States population but a huge economic help as well. “Hispanics now make up eighteen percent of the total population” as said by nbcnews.com and even cnn.com. They have also stated that, “Hispanics will contribute over two trillion dollars to the U.S. economy.”
When I went outside, I was in America, but inside my house, it was Mexico. My father was the leader of the house. It wasn’t that way for some of my American friends” (Sue & Sue, 2008, p. 375). Reading this quote reminded me of the client because she discussed having trouble adjusting and having her father has head of the household. The textbook included a chapter on counseling Hispanics and Latinos. Sue and Sue discussed the importance of family value among the Hispanic population. Learning this made me understand why it was so important for the client to build a relationship with her mother and father that she had not seen in nearly fourteen years. Sue and Sue explained that “stress found among adult Mexican immigrants results in depressive symptoms…culture conflicts all function as stressors for recent immigrants” (Sue & Sue, 2008, p. 386). Hence, the stress of immigration and cultural conflicts can also contribute to the client’s depressive symptoms. However, as I learned in the diversity course, it is important to evaluate the clients’ importance of their culture and determine whether the depression is a result of cultural conflicts rather than make an