Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to improve our understanding of depression and anxiety among older immigrant Chinese Australians.
Method: The study was based on the National Ageing Research Institute's Cultural Exchange Model, an iterative process of exchange between researchers and stakeholders. The project involved a range of components including consultations with health professionals and community workers about perceptions of depression and anxiety within the Chinese community. This paper reports on these consultation findings.
Results: Thematic analysis generated five main categories to explain participants' perceptions of depression and anxiety within the Chinese community. Themes included: lack of knowledge; personal weakness rather than illness; stigma; somatisation; and experience of migration in later life. Responses to questions about education and information dissemination were collated separately and reported.
Conclusion: Views of depression and anxiety among older Chinese people suggest that educating the community may be an important way to improve mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviour.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 249-254 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Australasian Journal on Ageing |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2016 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Older Chinese immigrant