The Effects of Acculturation on the Levels of Stigma Among Mental Health Providers of Chinese Descent in the USA

Résumé du livre

It may be inferred that Chinese immigrants in America who have studied or worked in the mental health field may have reasonably obtained more knowledge and education related to mental illness, crediting to a more open-minded view toward mental illness in the Western culture. To help confirm on such inference, it was important to investigate if acculturation to Western values could generate a more positive effect on mental health providers' attitude and stigma toward mental illness. This study examined the influences of acculturation and whether it lowers one's perception towards mental health stigma. This study included participants (N = 110) who completed all surveys, and the data analysis focused on the subgroup of Chinese descent (N = 26). Unfortunately, our results did not evidence significant correlation between acculturation and mental health stigma among the Chinese descent mental health providers in America. However, significant stigmatizing attitude toward mental illness were evidenced in this study. The results of the study are valuable in guiding treatment and training program for current future mental health professionals, especially among the Chinese population. The goal of this study was to raise self-awareness among mental health providers and become more conscientious regarding the hidden bias or attitude that may lead to discrimination toward mental illness.