College of Social Work, Ohio State University, Columbus, USA.
Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio, Columbus, USA.
Community Ment Health J. 2022 Feb;58(2):376-393. doi: 10.1007/s10597-021-00835-4. Epub 2021 May 15.
Despite the rapidly growing need to understand mental health challenges faced by refugee subpopulations, there is a dearth of literature exploring mental health conceptualization through the unique refugee lens. Guided by historical trauma theory, we gathered data using a two-phase explanatory sequential mixed-methods study (quantitative: n = 40; qualitative: n = 6) in a Midwestern U.S. region to understand mental health conceptualization from the Bhutanese refugee perspective by examining the cultural meaning and perception of mental health, describing experiences of mental health problems, and examining cultural protective factors and coping strategies. We argue that recognition of refugees' conceptualization of mental health and identification of cultural protective factors is paramount to healing. Findings emphasize the need to understand historical and cultural perspectives in cross-cultural contexts for the development and implementation of culturally responsive services. Our study also contributes to emerging knowledge on methodological rigor in research among understudied, hard-to-reach, small populations.
尽管人们越来越需要了解难民亚群体所面临的心理健康挑战，但对于通过独特的难民视角来理解心理健康概念的文献却很少。本研究以历史创伤理论为指导，采用两阶段解释性顺序混合方法研究（定量：n=40；定性：n=6），在美国中西部地区收集数据，通过考察心理健康的文化意义和认知、描述心理健康问题的经历，以及考察文化保护因素和应对策略，从不丹难民的角度来理解心理健康概念。我们认为，认识到难民对心理健康的概念化，并确定文化保护因素，对于治愈至关重要。研究结果强调，在跨文化背景下，需要了解历史和文化观点，以制定和实施对文化敏感的服务。我们的研究还为在研究对象难以接触且人数较少的情况下提高研究方法的严谨性方面的知识做出了贡献。
