Chapter 4. Concepts of Mental Health and Mental Illness in Older Hispanics

Abstract

The effect of cultural context in symptom expression and interpretation among older Hispanics, and how they experience psychological distress are not well-understood. We use the illness representation model to learn about older Puerto Ricans' and Dominicans' conceptions and causes of positive mental health, the causes of emotional problems, the conceptions and causes of depression and anxiety, the distinction between depression and anxiety, and the relationship between age and depression. Greater understanding of the meaning of symptoms and syndromes of depression and anxiety might help to define more culturally-sensitive mental health treatments and service delivery systems.     

Mental Health Intervention with Hispanic Immigrants

Abstract

The underutilization of mental health services by Hispanic immigrants has been well documented in the literature. Hispanic immigrants encounter numerous obstacles which prevent them from successfully navigating through the mental health system. This reality is further compounded by the fact that research appears to suggest an increased rate of mental health disorders among Hispanics. This article underscores the importance of understanding the influence of a Hispanic client's worldview, language, and religion on the provision of mental health services. A case vignette is presented as a means of illustrating key conceptual points. Practice principles or conclusions drawn from this article should be used as a general guide by mental health practitioners.     

Chapter 7. Mental Health Intervention with Dominican Immigrants

Abstract

Dominicans are a significant force in the changing composition of Hispanic immigration in the United States, and all indications are that they will continue to be in the years to come. A framework has been applied in which Dominican culture, psychosocial strengths and risks, and treatment implications are explored in the context of how Dominicans appear to be similar to and different from other Hispanic groups in the U.S. Much more needs to be done in terms of elaborating this combination of homogeneity and heterogeneity. Mental health practitioners who are open to such inquiry, and to keeping an open mind regarding the possibilities of modifications in therapeutic techniques and modality choices, will find Dominicans to be a clinically responsive, and an enjoyable population to work with.     

对未成年人行为及心理状况的实证分析

就总体情况看,现阶段的未成年人面临学习、心理压力和一定意义上的社会压力,对这些压力的生成,既要承认有未成年人自身的因素,同时更不能忽视包括来自家庭、学校和社会中的一些方面的影响。因此,对未成年人这个可塑性强、发展空间大的群体的保护,不仅要强调全社会的配合和各个方面的有效衔接,还要结合社会的发展状况树立发展的观点。     

Chapter 3. Mental Health Care of Hispanic Immigrant Children

Abstract

This chapter addresses the mental health care of Hispanic immigrant children within a school-based context. The school system is presented as a natural support agent that is psychologically, culturally and geographically accessible for the delivery of culturally competent mental health services. The development of a multifaceted New York City public school-based program created, by the first author of this chapter, in response to the psychosocial needs of Hispanic immigrant children is discussed as a viable approach that may be used in the provision of ethnic-sensitive mental health care.     

Chapter 2. Mental Health in the Hispanic Immigrant Community

Abstract

This chapter addresses the mental health status of Hispanics in the United States. The prevalence and incidence of mental health disorders among different Hispanic ethnic subgroups is examined. Patterns of mental health services utilization and barriers to mental health care are also reviewed. Research specific to best mental health practices with Hispanics is stressed.     

Collaborating for Mental Health Services in Wales: A Process Evaluation

The need for inter-agency collaboration between managers of mental health services has long been recognized, as has the difficulty of achieving and maintaining such relationships. Hudson et al . (1999) have developed a model for collaboration in the public sector and the current research has tested the model against attempts to achieve and maintain inter-agency collaboration between mental health managers in Wales. We find Hudson's model a useful analytical framework but our evidence suggests that it needs to be amended by giving greater emphasis to the importance of 'uninterrupted . . . opportunities for interaction' between key managers. Forthcoming changes to NHS structures in Wales (for example, the abolition of Health Authorities and the conversion of Local Health Groups into Local Health Boards) will not necessarily facilitate collaboration if the Local Health Boards are given the role of planning and commissioning mental health services without having the necessary 'critical mass' of knowledge, expertise and dedicated staff capacity for planning and commissioning mental health services.     

从交通肇事到故意杀人转化的心理历程分析——大学生药家鑫杀人犯罪心理研究

药家鑫在发生车祸后采取车辆之外的工具杀死受害人,这确实是一种极端的心理反应。这一现象的原因,部分是因为其对自己行为可兔于被发现的错误评估所产生的侥幸心理,还有部分是因其内心深处存有漠视生命、逃避责任等稳定观念所致。这种观念在特定的紧急情景中,会主动与当前的信息相联系,这些信息就会被优先注意,并提供自动化的输入以形成独断的加工与决策。而侥幸心理则会加速了这种决策形成。     

An East-West Approach to Serving Chinese Immigrants in a Mental Health Setting

Abstract

This article discusses the unique design of a community day treatment program that addresses the issues of loss and acculturation for a Chinese American immigrant population who suffers from chronic mental illness. The program utilizes an integrated, multi-cultural milieu of staff and clients to create a microcosm of the diversity of American society, and reflects the agency's belief in the affirmation of the clients' cultural heritage as a more effective way of supporting clients in their recovery process. Case vignettes are used to illustrate the importance of helping immigrant clients who are marginalized in society to feel accepted, empowered and hopeful in their lives in a new country.     

Post-development and Poverty: an assessment

This article presents a critical assessment of the post-development critique of poverty, distinguishing between claims made about how poverty is represented in ‘modern’ poverty analysis (the ‘representations critique’) and claims about trends in, and causal analysis of, consumption poverty (the ‘marginalisation thesis’). In general empirical evidence does not support ‘headline’ claims concerning the lack of correspondence of consumption poverty to local needs and the worsening of consumption poverty. There is support for other positions concerning the relativity of nutritional adequacy norms and the limits of ‘standard’ causal analysis of poverty. These latter elements, however, add little to existing critiques which are well known in the poverty literature.     

Job Satisfaction Among Swedish Mental Health Nursing Staff: A Cross-Sectional Survey

There is limited amount of empirical studies concerning job satisfaction in inpatient psychiatric care. However, job satisfaction has several implications on public administration and management. The objective of this study is to identify factors having positive impact on job satisfaction among Swedish psychiatric nursing staff in an inpatient psychiatric clinic. The cross-sectional study is based on Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory. The survey was distributed among nursing staff at a psychiatric university hospital clinic in Western Sweden. Overall, job satisfaction was rated relatively high, and salary was rated the lowest of all factors investigated. Unlike the premises in Herzberg’s theory, salary showed a positive correlation with job satisfaction and not only in preventing dissatisfaction. Hospital managers must be attentive to salary levels and staff turnover. Psychiatric nursing personnel in Sweden lack competitive salaries, and hospital administrators should encourage nursing staff to improve relationships between staff and managers and establish good relationships among colleagues.