Psychiatry Investig.
2016 Sep;13(5):558-565. 10.4306/pi.2016.13.5.558.
What Does Depression Mean for Korean American Elderly?: A Qualitative Follow-Up Study
- Affiliations
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- 1School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. slee226@jhu.edu
- 2School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- 3Psychological Medicine Service, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- 4School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- KMID: 2354477
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/pi.2016.13.5.558
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Korean American Elderly (KAE) have high rates of depression but underuse mental health services. The purpose of this study was to assess the meaning of depression and help seeking among KAE residing in the United States who have clinically significant depressive symptoms.
METHODS
As a follow up to the Memory and Aging Study of Koreans (MASK; n=1,118), a descriptive epidemiological study which showed that only one in four of KAE with clinically significant depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9≥10) used mental health services, we conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with participants with clinically significant depressive symptoms regarding the meaning of depression and beliefs about help seeking. Ten participants with clinically significant depressive symptoms were approached and 8 were recruited for semi-structured interviews.
RESULTS
KAE did not identify themselves as depressed though experiencing clinically significant depressive symptoms. They associated depression with social discrimination, social isolation, and suicide in the extreme circumstance. They attributed depression to not achieving social and material success in America and strained relationships with their children. Participants attempted to self-manage distress without telling others in their social network. However, KAE were willing to consult with mental health professionals if the services were bilingual, affordable, and confidential.
CONCLUSION
KAE with clinically significant depressive symptoms are a vulnerable group with need and desire for linguistically and culturally relevant mental health services who are isolated due to a complex array of psychological and social factors.
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