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Handbook of Race and Development in Mental Health pp 189–206Cite as

Psychology of Asian American Older Adults: Status, Challenges, and Strengths

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Abstract

This chapter discusses the major challenges to the maintenance of mental health in the Asian American older adult population. Major points of discussion focus on the stigmatization of and lack of knowledge about mental health disorders and the underutilization of mental health services. Familial support, religion/spirituality, and peer support and social networks are also presented as major strengths, which contribute to the resilience exhibited by older Asian Americans. It begins with an overview of the demographic characteristics of the population and followed by the prevalence rates of mental disorders most commonly found in several older Asian American groups.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Welfare, University of California Los Angeles School of Public Affairs, 3250 Public Policy Building, 951656, 90095-1656, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Ailee Moon

  2. Division of Social Welfare and Public Health Administration, College of Social Science, Wonkwang University, 344-2 Shinyong-dong, 570-749, Iksan, Jeonbuk, South Korea

    Inju Cho Ph.D.

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  1. Ailee Moon
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  2. Inju Cho Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Ailee Moon .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Church St. 530, Ann Arbor, 48109, Michigan, USA

    Edward C. Chang

  2. , Department of Psychology, Indiana University Kokomo, 2300 S. Washington St., Kokomo, 46904, Indiana, USA

    Christina A. Downey

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Moon, A., Cho, I. (2012). Psychology of Asian American Older Adults: Status, Challenges, and Strengths. In: Chang, E., Downey, C. (eds) Handbook of Race and Development in Mental Health. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0424-8_11

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