A critical examination of the DSM as a multicultural diagnostic tool for depression among Asian Americans and Asian Indians

Watson, Emily Louise (2017) A critical examination of the DSM as a multicultural diagnostic tool for depression among Asian Americans and Asian Indians. Journal of Applied Psychology and Social Science, 3 (1). pp. 19-32.

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Abstract

Depression has been examined from a Western, Asian American and Indian American- cultural, specific point of view. The purpose of this paper was to examine if the DSM can be used as a multicultural diagnostic tool for depression. Research suggests that ethnic and racial minority groups are often underserved by the mental health system (Snowden, 1996; Lewis-Fernàndez & Kleinman, 1994). Language, social construction, family, age, gender and religion have all been found to be barriers to treatment among different cultures (Blackmore, 1998; Ramisetty-Mikler, 1993). After reviewing the literature a strong argument can be made for the DSM being used as a multicultural diagnostic tool, as long as clinicians have the appropriate understanding of different cultures and their belief systems.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Journal of Applied Psychology and Social Science
Publisher:	University of Cumbria
Departments:	Academic Departments > Health, Psychology & Social Studies (HPSS) > Applied Psychology and Social Studies
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	19 Jul 2017 11:19
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2024 17:16
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/3125

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