Group therapy with Southeast Asian refugees
- 1 January 1988
- journal article
- Published by Springer Nature in Community Mental Health Journal
- Vol. 24 (2) , 157-166
- https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00756658
Abstract
This report describes a one-year experience with a new program of group therapy for Southeast Asians who were treated in a psychiatric program for Indochinese refugees. Cultural factors involving communication styles, respect for authority, and traditional social relationships greatly influence the group process. Socialization experiences which encouraged traditional activities and practical information were the most acceptable medium by all the groups. Psychological issues of losses, cultural conflicts, and persistent discussion of somatic symptoms were voiced throughout the activities. Formal group psychotherapy was periodically useful in some groups. Flexibility, meeting concrete needs, keeping a bicultural focus, and maintaining the individual therapy sessions contributed to the acceptance by the patient.Keywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- An Indochinese refugee psychiatric clinic: culturally accepted treatment approachesAmerican Journal of Psychiatry, 1980