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Scholarly Works (2 results)

  • Thesis
  • Peer Reviewed
UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations (2017)

Culture-bound syndromes have proven to be significant indicators for social and psychiatric vulnerability for specific racial/ethnic minorities. However, the diagnostic criteria for these syndromes often fail to adequately address important historical and social circumstances that influence immigrant health. While culture plays a significant role in influencing the etiology and the symptom expression of certain disorders, the immigrant context is also an important indicator of mental health outcomes. In particular, factors such as English proficiency, generational status, and age at time of immigration can influence how they experience and express mental illness. The present study used logistic regression to assess the relationships among ethnicity and immigration-integration characteristics on the outcome of culture-bound syndromes from the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS, n = 4528). Differences in racial/ethnic groups and immigration-integration factors were found. Compared to Filipinos and other Asians, Latinos had higher odds of reporting ataques de nervios. There were associations between ataques de nervios with age of immigration, generation, and English proficiency. Further, there was effect modification between English proficiency and ethnicity: Filipinos with limited English proficiency were associated with greater odds of reporting ataques de nervios as compared to Latinos and other Asians. Filipinos with excellent or good English proficiency were associated with decreased odds of reporting ataques de nervios as compared to Latinos and other Asians. The Latinos in our sample demonstrated an inverse relationship to Filipinos in their reports of ataques de nervios, while all other Asians reported similar levels of ataques de nervios at both levels of English proficiency. Culture-bound syndromes can serve as helpful indicators for identifying mental health needs in marginalized populations, but should be considered in the context of important historical, cultural, and social factors.

    Cover page: Culture-Bound Syndromes: Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Experience and Expression of Ataques de nervios
    • Article
    • Peer Reviewed
    UCLA Previously Published Works (2023)

    Background

    Despite suicide being the leading cause of death among emerging adult Asian American women (AAW), little is known about the risk factors.

    Aim

    We tested whether gendered racial microaggressions stress (GRMS) would be associated with AAW's suicidal ideation, and whether internalized racism (self-negativity, IRSN; weakness stereotypes, IRWS; and appearance bias, IRAB) would exacerbate this link based on self-devaluating implications of internalized racism.

    Method

    Using a sample of 309 AAW (Mage = 20.00, SD = 6.26), we conducted a moderated logistic regression with GRMS predicting suicidal ideation (endorsement or no endorsement) and the three internalized racism factors (IRSN, IRWS, and IRAB) as moderators.

    Results

    GRMS significantly predicted suicidal ideation with a threefold increase in the odds of suicidal ideation. Only IRSN significantly exacerbated this link at low to mean levels.

    Conclusion

    Gendered racial microaggressions is likely a risk factor for suicidal ideation among AAW, particularly for those who internalize negative images of themselves as Asian individuals.
      Cover page: Gendered racial microaggressions, internalized racism, and suicidal ideation among emerging adult Asian American women
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