The linkage of social exclusion and poor mental health in minority Asian groups in Britain and America
| Date | 22 February 2013 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20428301311305250 |
| Published date | 22 February 2013 |
| Pages | 8-13 |
| Author | Sue Holttum |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Research Watch
The linkage of social exclusion and poor
mental health in minority Asian groups
in Britain and America
Sue Holttum
Abstract
Purpose – This Research Watch aims to summarise two recent research paperson social exclusion and
mental health within minority Asian population groups in the UK and USA.
Design/methodology/approach – A search was carried out for research papers with a mental health
and social inclusion focus published within the past 12 months.
Findings – The first paper summarises 12 recent research papers on the experience of British
South Asians of accessing health care for long term physical conditions and depression. Gaining
access to health care was a complex process of negotiation between those seeking it and health service
representatives. This process was hampered by lack of fit between patients’ and clinicians’ cultural
context and understandings. The second paper summarises 14 questionnaire-based research studies
of the relationship between discrimination experiences and mental and physical health in Asian
Americans, finding significant links between discrimination and mental and physical health.
Originality/value – The first paper’s authors used recently developed, rigorous methods of
summarising findings from multiple interview and focus group studies, arriving at a new
understanding of the processes experienced by British South Asians when accessing services for
health conditions, including depression. The second paper extends existing knowledge about links
between discrimination and poor physical and mental health in American minority groups to Asian
Americans, a group relatively overlooked hitherto.
Keywords Mental health services, Social exclusion, Discrimination, Asian, Access to healthcare,
United Kingdom, United States of America, Ethnic minorities
Paper type General review
British South Asians’ access to health care
Garrett et al. (2012) begin by noting the high prevalence of coronary heart disease, diabetes
and depression globally. They note that British South Asians appear more likely than the
white British population to suffer from diabetes and heart disease, and that some studies
have reported higher rates of depression in certain subgroups, including Punjabi men and
women, Pakistani women, middle-aged Pakistani men, and older Indian and Pakistani
women. Garrett et al. (2012) suggest that some inequalities of access to health care are
being addressed, but that we know relatively little about the actual process people go
through in getting help for their conditions. We can assess who gains access and what
treatment is received by counting the number and type of cases, but this does not tell
us why some people have lower rates of uptake and use of certain treatments or services.
This is where studies using in-depth interviews and focus groups can help us gain greater
understanding of what is going on.
PAGE 8
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MENTAL HEALTHAND SOCIAL INCLUSION
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VOL. 17 NO. 1 2013, pp. 8-13, QEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 DOI 10.1108/20428301311305250
Sue Holttum is based at
Canterbury Christ Church
University, Kent, UK.
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