Depression is a prominent concern and a sensitive issue among Asian immigrants. Also, it leads to disability and adds to the burden of disease. As very little is known about how depression is defined and explained from Asian perspective, depression may be misdiagnosed and misunderstood.
Objective: To describe elderly Thai immigrants’ perceptions of depression and determine the extent to which they consider it a health problem.
Design: The qualitative interview design is used.
Sample and setting: A convenience sample of Thai elders of age 60 years and older is recruited from Thai temples in the Chicago area.
Concepts: The conceptual framework surrounding depression in Thai people is derived from existing psychoanalytic theory, cognitive theory, and sociocultural theory. The concepts of loss, negative thoughts, self, culture, and environment are used to develop an interview guide.
Methods: Using a semi-structured, in-depth interview and field notes, the researcher interview ten male and ten female participants on depression in terms of definitions, manifestations, coping strategies, impact on their lives, treatment, and its effectiveness. Data are audio taped, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis until essential themes are emerged.
Findings: They are themes explaining what depression is and how it is perceived within Thai culture. Also, expression of depression through somatic and behavioral patterns differ from western traditions.
Conclusions: Elderly Thai immigrants are able to benefit from quality mental health care in the United States by increasing awareness among mental health care providers of culturally sensitive competent care for the elderly of Asian ethnic groups.
Implications: The results of this study will increase the understanding of depression from Asian perspectives. Findings can be used to develop treatment and intervention programs to improve assessments and treatments of depression.
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