Cultural perspectives of mental health beliefs and treatment expectations within the Chinese immigrant community
This research study explores the mental health beliefs and mental health treatment expectations in the context of cultural perspectives within the Chinese immigrant community in the UK. Using a constructivist grounded theory methodology, intensive interviews were used to collect data from twelve participants. The participants were all first generation Chinese immigrants who had experience of using mental health services in the United Kingdom within the previous five years. The data analysis resulted in the emergence of four categories: experiences in the context of cultural perspectives, changing mental health beliefs, evaluations of the service and a review of treatment expectations. Category one accounts for the ways in which participants construct and perceive the meanings of their experiences, viewpoints, emotions and attitudes in relation to Chinese cultural perspectives surrounding the subject of mental health. Category two explores the way that initial mental health beliefs are changed by the experiences individuals have while accessing mental health services. Category three sheds light on how the mental health service is evaluated by the individual. Category four considers treatment expectations for the current mental health service. In examining all the above categories, a layered interrelationship emerges which contributes to the construction of the theoretical model. This study suggests a theoretical model that allows the understanding of mental health beliefs and mental health treatment expectations in the context of cultural perspectives within the Chinese immigrant community. The current literature indicates that Chinese immigrants and their mental health needs have received little attention to date. The theoretical model presented here offers a novel framework that accounts for a multiplicity of aspects that are pertinent to the construction of mental health beliefs and treatment expectations in the context of Chinese cultural perspectives for the studied population. The insight gained can be utilised by counselling psychologists as a guide to assist in working with Chinese clients and providing a culturally appropriate and competent service. Furthermore, learning can also be gained from elements of traditional Chinese philosophy to inform and inspire counselling psychologists in the UK.
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