Culturally Informed Clinical Considerations for Bangladeshi Immigrant Families.

摘要

Studies have shown that a large number of Bangladeshi immigrants of all ages suffer from various mental health illnesses such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and negative self-image/esteem (Ahmad et al., 2004; Commander, Odell, Surtees, & Sashiharan, 2004; Rastogi & Suthakaran, 2004). However, there is a paucity of research that addresses the Bangladeshi background and its influences on the immigration experience, acculturative stressors and challenges, identity issues, intergenerational conflict, and the overall mental health concerns that exist within this unique and often "invisible" population. Through a critical review of the literature along with structured interviews with professionals with expertise on this topic, the dissertation not only educates mental health professionals regarding the mental health issues experienced by this group, but on the importance of culture sensitive mental health services. With increased effort in outreach to this population, it is also hoped that this will lead to the increase in help-seeking behavior by the Bangladeshi population (i.e., utilization of service), the decrease of shame, stigma, and guilt associated with mental health illness, and finally, contribute to an increase in positive treatment outcomes for this underserved group. A concurrent important goal of this thesis is to also increase empathy and understanding for this particular population, which is often overlooked and misunderstood by the mainstream culture.