Revising the American dream: how Asian immigrants adjust after an HIV diagnosis. (5th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Wei‐Ti; Guthrie, Barbara; Shiu, Cheng‐Shi; Wang, Lixuan; Weng, Zhongqi; Li, Chiang‐Shan; Lee, Tony Szu‐Hsien; Kamitani, Emiko; Fukuda, Yumiko; Luu, Binh Vinh
• Is Part Of: Journal of advanced nursing. Volume 71:Number 8(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 1914
• Page End: 1925
• Publication Date: 2015-03-05
• Subjects: Nursing -- Periodicals; 610.7305
• DOI: 10.1111/jan.12645
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-2402

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jan12645-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jan12645-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>We explored how acculturation and self‐actualization affect depression in the HIV‐positive Asians and Pacific Islanders immigrant population.</p> </sec> <sec id="jan12645-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Asians and Pacific Islanders are among the fastest growing minority groups in the USA. Asians and Pacific Islanders are the only racial/ethnic group to show a significant increase in HIV diagnosis rate.</p> </sec> <sec id="jan12645-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>A mixed‐methods study was conducted.</p> </sec> <sec id="jan12645-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Thirty in‐depth interviews were conducted with HIV‐positive Asians and Pacific Islanders in San Francisco and New York. Additionally, cross‐sectional audio computer‐assisted self‐interviews were conducted with a sample of 50 HIV‐positive Asians and Pacific Islanders. Content analysis was used to analyse the in‐depth interviews. Also, descriptive, bivariate statistics and multivariable regression analysis was used to estimate the associations among depression, acculturation and self‐actualization. The study took place from January–June 2013.</p> </sec> <sec id="jan12645-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Discussion</title> <p>Major themes were extracted from the interview data, including self‐actualization, acculturation and depression. The participants were then divided into three acculturation levels correlating to their varying levels of self‐actualization. For those with low acculturation, there was a large discrepancy in the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale scores between those who had totally lost their self‐actualization and those who believed they could still achieve their 'American dreams'. Among those who were less acculturated, there was a significant difference in depression scores between those who felt they had totally lost their ability to self‐actualize and those who still believed they could 'make their dreams come true.'</p> </sec> <sec id="jan12645-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Acculturation levels influence depression and self‐actualization in the HIV‐positive Asians and Pacific Islanders population. Lower acculturated Asian Americans achieved a lower degree of self‐actualization and suffered from depression. Future interventions should focus on enhancing acculturation and reducing depression to achieve self‐actualization.</p> </sec> </abstract>