Patrick Leung

Migratory Grief and Depression Among Elderly Chinese American Immigrants

Abstract This article examines factors that affect psychological distress (depression) among elderly Chinese immigrants. The factors included in the study were their grief experience associated with immigration along with acculturation, length of residence in the U.S. and other demographic factors, such as age, gender, marital status, living arrangement, contact with relatives, relatives in home country, home country visits, and home country identity. A total of 150 Chinese immigrants from a major city in the U.S. aged between 55 and 86 participated in the study. The results of the regression analysis indicated that those respondents who had a higher degree of migratory grief experience and a lower English proficiency score, who visited their home country, and were younger, were more likely to feel depressed. Among these four variables, migratory grief alone contributed to 41.5% of the variance while the remaining three variables contributed to 12.4% of the variation. Implications for social work practice were discussed.

A Comparative Analysis of Adoptive Family Functioning with Gay, Lesbian, and Heterosexual Parents and Their Children

Abstract The objectives of this comparative study were to examine adoptive family functioning with a sample of gay, lesbian, and heterosexual adoptive parents and their children. The results suggested that parent sexual orientation is not a significant predictor of adoptive family functioning, adopted childs behavior, and parents perceptions of helpfulness from family support networks. Furthermore, a regression analysis suggested the following variables were associated with higher levels of family functioning: adoptive parents who were previously foster parents and children who had more previous placements prior to adoption. Lower family functioning was associated with children adopted through CPS; with children who had mental health diagnoses, learning disorders, or other handicapping conditions; and with children who were in a higher grade in school. The results of this comparative study of adoptive families support the need for more methodologically rigorous research that includes gay and lesbian adoptive parents along with heterosexual parents.

Help-Seeking Attitudes Among Vietnamese Americans: The Impact of Acculturation, Cultural Barriers, and Spiritual Beliefs

ABSTRACT There is increasing evidence that Vietnamese Americans underutilize mental health services. This study surveyed 210 Vietnamese Americans about their attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help to further understanding of variables that may impact attitudes toward use of mental health services in this community. It was hypothesized that acculturation, cultural barriers, and spiritual beliefs together will predict attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. The results indicated acculturation, cultural barriers, spiritual beliefs, age, and occupation were significant predictors of help-seeking attitudes. Specifically, higher levels of acculturation, cultural barriers, age, and occupation meant more positive attitudes toward seeking help whereas lower levels of spiritual beliefs resulted in more favorable attitudes toward seeking help. Implications for social work research and practice are addressed.

The Impact of Previous Type of Abuse and Sibling Adoption upon Adoptive Families.

OBJECTIVE The paper addresses the impacts of the type of abuse and sibling adoption upon family functioning. The specific objectives are to test the relationships: (1). between an adopted childs previous type of abuse and postadoptive family functioning; (2). between an adopted childs previous type of abuse and the childs postadoptive externalized behavior status; (3). between sibling adoption status and postadoptive family functioning; and (4). between sibling adoption status and the childs postadoptive externalized behavior status. METHOD Data were collected from parents with adopted children, between the ages of 2 and 16, who have special needs status. The convenience sample was drawn primarily from one southern state. RESULTS The results suggest that the childs type of abuse does predict different outcomes in terms of a parents report of postadoptive family functioning but not the adopted childs postadoptive externalized behavior. Sibling adoptions resulted in lower perceptions of family functioning but slightly improved perceptions of the childs postadoptive externalized behavior. CONCLUSION Parents with adopted children who have histories of physical and sexual abuse reported lower family functioning than those parents with adopted children who only have histories of neglect. Parents who adopted sibling groups reported fewer externalized child behavior problems but lower family functioning than those parents who adopted a single child. These results suggest the need for a variety of family supports targeted to family needs as well as to promoting behavioral changes in the children.

Asian Male Domestic Violence Victims: Services Exclusive for Men

The main reasons abused men do not seek social services include their strong endorsement of social/cultural values and avoidance of gender role conflict. Through internet-based service connections, we did not find sources in Asia, Australia, or New Zealand that advertised programs exclusively for male victims of domestic violence (DV). Nine social services in Hong Kong and Singapore describe their work with men in DV situations, but the main focus is “men as perpetrators.” Targeting men as victims, 32 sources in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom describe services designed especially for male DV victims. Findings demonstrate that services for male victims must address such factors as secretiveness, cultural values, masculine identity, tolerance, shame, and loss of face.

Factors contributing to family functioning of adoptive children with special needs: A long term outcome analysis

Abstract There is scant research into the long-term outcomes of families and their adopted children with special needs status. The majority of the research in this area of study has focused on factors affecting disruption and those associated with adoptions that remain intact. Only a few studies have examined long term outcomes of adopted children with special needs. The purpose of this study was to identify family and child characteristics and interventions that contribute to family functioning. The results suggest that adoptive families with more children, who did not receive family therapy, participated in religious activities and fathers with less education were more likely to have a higher family functioning score. Implications for practice are also discussed.

Gay and Lesbian Adoptive Families: An Exploratory Study of Family Functioning, Adoptive Child's Behavior, and Familial Support Networks

ABSTRACT Traditional legal and social forces have hindered the adoption of children by gay and lesbian individuals and couples. Using a convenience sample drawn from gay and lesbian support groups and Internet sites, this exploratory study examines adoptive families with gay and lesbian parents in terms of family functioning capabilities, childs behavior, and family support networks. Data were gathered from 47 gay and lesbian parents and 68 of their adopted children. The results suggest that these adoptive families are performing within the healthy ranges established by scales measuring family functioning and adopted childs behavior. Additionally, the results of this study suggest these families have adequate levels of help from their support networks. Finally, those families who adopted siblings and those who adopted older children with a history of abuse reported higher levels of family functioning. The results of this exploratory study, in combination with previous studies of gay and lesbian families, support the practice of adoption by gay and lesbian adults.

Using single-system analyses to assess the effectiveness of an exercise intervention on quality of life for hispanic breast cancer survivors: A pilot study

ABSTRACT Stress is associated with many health maladies, including cancers. Exercise is an effective stress-management tool and is important for physical health. The number of Hispanic women who engage in enough exercise is low. Thus, promoting exercise for this population is of critical importance. Individual effectiveness of behavioral interventions can often be lost in group analyses. Therefore, we employed both group analyses and single-system methodology to test the effectiveness of an exercise program for 25 Hispanic breast cancer survivors. Measures of physical fitness, quality of life, self-reported stress, and salivary cortisol were taken repeatedly before, during, and after the intervention. The intervention improved physical fitness, reduced perceived stress, and decreased cortisol levels as evidenced by both group and single-system analyses.

Enhancing Attitudes, Knowledge, and Skills of Paraprofessional Service Providers in Elder Care Settings

Abstract The preparation of paraprofessional providers of services to older adults is often a “back-burner” issue, even though most direct care of older clients and patients is provided by paraprofessionals. This community-academic project delivered gerontological training to 74 paraprofessional service providers and evaluated the impact of training on gerontological attitudes, knowledge, and skills, and client satisfaction. Key features are that paraprofessional trainees selected training topics, gerontological social workers provided the training, pre-and post-tests assessed the impact of training, and interactive training modeled processes to apply with older adults. Findings suggest that age-related “attitudes” and “skills” can progressively develop, “knowledge” is likely to change sooner, and “client satisfaction” can be enhanced. Future training initiatives can address the value of “reinforcement training,” enhancing the capabilities of gerontology and geriatric educators to meet needs of paraprofessionals who influence the quality of later lives.

Asian Indians and depressive symptoms: Reframing mental health help-seeking behavior

Survey results from 96 Asian Indians in the USA found that those having depressive symptoms were more likely to have experienced social, family or relationship issues. Logistic regression analysis indicated three significant predictors: 1) individuals with anxiety problems were 11.34 times more likely to have depressive symptoms; 2) each unit increase in the score for family or relationship issues increased the likelihood of depression by 3.74 times; and 3) individuals currently employed were 90.9 percent less likely to have depressive symptoms. Reframing mental health symptoms as reactions to family/social issues will help Asian Indians step forward to seek professional help.