Skip to main content
Log in

Psychotherapeutic issues with Asian American women

  • Published:
Sex Roles Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Although several authors have written of the unique needs and stresses encountered by Asian American women, little information is available about the culturally sensitive therapeutic approaches in working with them. This paper attempts to identify some of the issues relevant for work with various groups of Asian American women. Sources of stress are discussed considering a variety of economic, cultural, and historic factors. Therapeutic approaches for dealing with these stressors are also discussed. In addition to traditional therapies, feminist perspectives are considered and issues of gender roles are raised. Finally, case examples and suggestions for therapists are provided.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Blechman, E. (1980). Behavior therapy. In A. M. Brodsky and R. Hare-Mustin (Eds.), Women and psychotherapy: An assessment of research and practice. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brodsky, A. M., and Hare-Mustin, R. (1980). Women and psychotherapy: An assessment of research and practice. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmen, E., Felipe-Russo, N., and Miller, J. B. (1981). Inequality and women's mental health: an overview. American J. Psychiatry, 138:10, 1319–1330.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chessler, P. (1972). Women and madness. New York: Doubleday.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Health, Education and Welfare. (1974). A study of selected socioeconomic characteristics of ethnic minorities based on the 1970 census: II-Aisan Americans. Washington D.C.: HEW Publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doi, T. (1973). The anatomy of dependence. Tokyo: Kodansha.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fong, P., and Cabaza, A. (1976). Economic and employment status of Asian-Pacific women. Paper presented at the Conference of the Educational and Occupational Needs of Asian-Pacific Women. San Francisco.

  • Fong, S. M. (1968). Identity conflicts of Chinese adolescents in San Francisco. In E. Brody (Ed.), Minority group adolescents in the United States: Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujitomi, I., and Wong, D. (1973). The new Asian American women. In S. Sue and N. Wagner (Ed.), Asian Americans: Psychological perspectives. Palo Alto: Science and Behavior Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, L. A. (1980). Feminist therapy. In A. M. Brodsky and R. Hare-Mustin (Eds.), Women and psychotherapy: An assessment of research and practice. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gove, R., and Tudor, J. (1973). Adult sex roles and mental illness. In J. Huber (Ed.), Changing women in a changing society. Chicago: University of Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Homma-True, R. (1980). Mental health issues among Asian American women. In National Institute of Education, The educational and occupational needs of Asian-Pacific American women. Washington, D.C.

  • Homma-True, R. (1981). The profile of Asian American women. In S. Cox (Ed.), Female psychology: The emerging self. New York: St. Martin's Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaschak, E. (1981). Feminist psychotherapy: The first decade. In S. Cox (Ed.). Female psychology: The emerging self. New York: St. Martin's Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kikumura, A., and Kitano, H. (1973). Interracial marriage: A picture of the Japanese Americans. J. Social Issues, 29, 2, 67–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, B. L. (1977). Asian wives of U.S. servicemen: Women in shadows. Amerasia Journal: 4, 1, 91–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, E. H. (1983). With silk wings: Asian American women at work. San Francisco: Asian Women United.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, S., Lee, E., Tolentino, E., and Homma-True, R. (1982). Therapeutic issues in working with Asian American families. Paper presented at the Asian American Mental Health Conference. San Francisco.

  • Kingston, M. H. (1976). The woman warrior, New York: Knopf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lott, J., and Pian, C. (1979). Beyond stereotypes and statistics: Emergence of Asian and Pacific American women. Washington, D.C.: Organization of Pan Asian American Women.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura, K. (1984). The significance of Amaterasu in Japanese religious history. In C. Olsen (Ed.), The book of the goddess: Past and present. New York: Crossroad.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olmedo, E. L., and Parron, D. L. (1981). Mental health of minority women: Some special issues. Professional Psychology, 12, 1, 103–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • President's Commission on Mental health (1978). Report to the president: Volume 4. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • San Francisco Community Mental Health Services (1987). Report on service utilization by Asian Americans: FY1985–86. San Francisco.

  • Sherman, J. (1980). Therapist attitudes and sex role stereotyping. In A. M. Brodsky and R. Hare-Mustin (Eds.), Women and psychotherapy: An assessment of research and practice. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shinoda-Bolen, J. (1984). Goddesses in every woman: A new psychology of women. San Francisco: Harper and Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shon, S., and Ja, D. (1982). Asian American families. In M. McGoldrick, K. Pearce, and J. Giordano (Eds.). Ethnicity and family therapy. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sue, D. W. (1981). Counseling the culturally different: Therapy and practice. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sue, S., and Morishima, J. K. (1982). The mental health of Asian Americans: Contemporary issues in identifying and treating mental problems. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takamure, I. (1972). Josei no rekishi (history of women). Tokyo: Kodansha.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weissman, M. M., and Klerman, G. L. (1979). Sex differences and the epidemiology of depression. in Gomberg, E. S., and Franks, V. (Eds.), Gender and disordered behavior. New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto, J. (1968). Japanese American identity crisis. In E. E. Brody (Ed.), Minority group adolescents in the U.S. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yanagida, E. H. (1979). Cross-cultural considerations in the application of assertive training. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 3, 4, 400–402.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

True, R.H. Psychotherapeutic issues with Asian American women. Sex Roles 22, 477–486 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288165

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288165

Keywords

Navigation