Characteristics of Asian/Pacific Islander Psychiatric Patients in a Public Metnal Health System.

PURPOSE OF THE PAPER. The purpose of this paper was to examine the general characteristics of Asian%divide;Pacific Islander patients in the Los Angeles County mental ehatlh system. SUMMARY OF METHODS UTILIZED. The patients studied (N=3.324) consisted of all Asian%divide;Pacific Islander patients seen in all county mental health facilites between 1988 and 1989. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS. Asian/Pacific Islander patients had a greater proportion of severe diagnoses than the county patient population in general. The Indochinese patients had the highest prevalence of Major Depression among the Asian patient groups, while Japanese showed the highest rate of schizophrenia. The majority of patients were admitted to the system between 19 and 40 years of age, and chose an Asian language as their primary language. CONCLUSIONS. Based on the findings, there seem to be interracial and interethnic differences in psychiatric diagnosis. The implications of this study include the need for increased cultural sensitivity and community education in the provision of mental health services for these populations. RELEVANCE TO ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN POPULATIONS. This study offers data on demographic and clinical characteristics of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander psychiatric patients. KEY WORDS. Asian Americans; Pacific Islanders; mental health; psychiatric patients