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The mental health of Asian and Pacific Island elders: Implications for research and mental health administration

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Abstract

According to the 1990 census, the highly diverse Asian and Pacific Islander (API) American population has doubled in size from 1980 to 1990 and is now the nation’s fastest growing minority group. Several studies have documented this population’s comparative underuse of mental health services. A review of recent studies on the mental health of Asian and Pacific Island elders identifies a number of risk factors and protectors. Elder APIs appear to have poorer mental health compared to white counterparts but not the poorest mental health within their own ethnic group. Within-group differences emerge, with recent immigrant groups and colonized populations appearing as most at-risk for mental health problems. A critical variable on this population’s mental health status appears to be socioeconomic status, and yet analysis of other demogra[hic variables, notably nativity and gender, remain contradictory. A research agenda is proposed and implications for mental health administrators are suggested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, University of Hawaii, 2500 Campus Road, 96822, Honolulu, HI

    Colette Browne Dr.P.H. (Assistant Professor), Rowena Fong Ed.D. (assistant professor) & Noreen Mokuau D.S.W. (asociate professor)

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  1. Colette Browne Dr.P.H.
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  2. Rowena Fong Ed.D.
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  3. Noreen Mokuau D.S.W.
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Browne, C., Fong, R. & Mokuau, N. The mental health of Asian and Pacific Island elders: Implications for research and mental health administration. The Journal of Mental Health Administration 21, 52–59 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02521345

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