Mental Health and Acculturative Stress in the South Asian American Community

Abstract

There are many differences between American culture and South Asian culture. Though much research has been done on the impact of these cultures on society and individuals, many aspects have still been left unexplored. We know how these cultures shape individuals, and we know that individuals being brought up with influences from more than one culture face unique stressors. However, we also need to explore the kinds of pressure that immigrants face when integrating their families into a new society while trying to preserve their traditions and values. Acculturation brings on different levels of stress for different individuals, and it is important that we examine the original stressors that individuals face from their ancestral countries and communities, and how these stressors intermingle with stressors of popular culture. Along with acculturative stress, South Asian Americans also face the unique challenges that emerge from familial and communal pressure while navigating a culture that is much different than their parents. It is integral to create mediums to bridge South Asian American cultural values and identity exploration through mental health education.

Presenters

Nfn Diksha
M.A Psychology, Psychology, LIU Brooklyn, New York, United States

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

Social and Community Studies

KEYWORDS

AMERICAN CULTURE, SOUTH ASAIN CULTURE, ACCULTURATION, GENDER, STRESS, FAMILY, PATRIARCHY