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OBJECTIVE: This practice improvement project sought to determine the prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses among patients admitted to a community hospital's inpatient medical units and which diagnoses were serviced by the hospital's psychiatric consultation service. METHOD: Electronic medical record data on adult patients of five medical units admitted with a psychiatric condition between October 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019, were used. Psychiatric ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) codes and diagnosis names extracted were categorized into seven major diagnostic groups. A total of 687 adult patients with 82 psychiatric ICD-10 codes were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Substance-related and addictive disorders were the most prevalent psychiatric diagnoses. Ninety-six percent (n = 658) of patients residing on medical floors with psychiatric disorders were hospitalized for a principal medical problem. Seventy-three cases received psychiatric consultations during their stay. Sixty percent (n = 44) of those cases had psychiatric disorders from two or more diagnostic categories. CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary, team-based health care delivery models that include a psychiatric nurse can provide an effective approach to treat patients in community hospitals with multiple psychiatric and medical comorbidities. Hospitals could take a significant role in providing substance use disorder treatment and equipping medical nurses with training to competently care for patients with psychiatric disorders on medical units. Further research into the prevalence and impact of patients with co-occurring and multiple psychiatric diagnoses in community hospitals is needed to implement effective health care delivery models and provide appropriate treatment options in the community.
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Pacientes Internos , Trastornos Mentales , Adulto , Comorbilidad , Humanos , Trastornos Mentales/epidemiología , Trastornos Mentales/psicología , Trastornos Mentales/terapia , Prevalencia , Derivación y ConsultaRESUMEN
The coronavirus pandemic has taken a detrimental toll on the lives of individuals globally. In addition to the direct effect (e.g., being infected with the virus), this pandemic has negatively ravaged many industries, particularly food retail, food services, and hospitality. Given the novelty of the disease, the true impact of COVID-19 remains to be determined. Because of the nature of their work, and the characteristics of the workers, individuals in the food retail, food service, and hospitality industries are a group whose vulnerability is at its most fragile state during this pandemic. Through this qualitative study, we explored workers' perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health and coping, including screening for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder symptoms. Twenty-seven individual interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Four key themes emerged: being infected and infecting others, the unknown, isolation, and work and customer demands. Considering the many uncertainties of COVID-19, workers in these three industries were experiencing heightened levels of mental distress because of where they worked and the already existing disparities they faced on a daily basis before the pandemic started. Yet they remained hopeful for a better future. More studies are needed to fully understand the magnitude, short-term, and long-term effects of COVID-19. Based on this study's findings, programs are critically needed to promote positive coping behaviors among at-risk and distressed workers. Recommendations for employers, occupational health and safety professionals, and policy stakeholders to further support these service workers are discussed.
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COVID-19/psicología , Trastornos Mentales/epidemiología , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Estrés Laboral , Adaptación Psicológica , Adulto , Alcoholismo/epidemiología , Comercio , Femenino , Servicios de Alimentación , Humanos , Masculino , Trastornos Mentales/etiología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Investigación Cualitativa , Trastornos por Estrés Postraumático/epidemiología , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The effects of social discrimination, job concerns, and social support on worker mental health and the influence of mental health on occupational health outcomes have been documented intermittently. We propose an integrated, theory-driven model to distinguish the impact of social determinants on work performance and injuries and the mediating effects of mental health problems. METHODS: The US Chinese immigrant food service workers (N = 194) completed a multimeasure interview; we tested the integrated model using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Mental health problems, which were associated with decreased work performance and increased injuries, also mediated relationships between job/employment concerns and both work performance and injuries but did not mediate the influences of discrimination and social support. CONCLUSIONS: This research reveals mechanisms by which social determinants influence immigrant worker health, pointing to complementary strategies for reducing occupational health disparities.
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Eficiencia , Emigrantes e Inmigrantes/psicología , Servicios de Alimentación , Salud Mental , Salud Laboral , Determinantes Sociales de la Salud , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , China/etnología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prejuicio , Apoyo Social , WashingtónRESUMEN
AIM: To identify discourses used by hospital nursing unit managers to characterize workplace bullying, and their roles and responsibilities in workplace bullying management. BACKGROUND: Nurses around the world have reported being the targets of bullying. These nurses often report that their managers do not effectively help them resolve the issue. There is scant research that examines this topic from the perspective of managers. METHODS: This was a descriptive, qualitative study. Interviews were conducted with hospital nursing unit managers who were recruited via purposive and snowball sampling. Data were analyzed using Willig's Foucauldian discourse analysis. RESULTS: Managers characterized bullying as an interpersonal issue involving the target and the perpetrator, as an intrapersonal issue attributable to characteristics of the perpetrator, or as an ambiguous situation. For interpersonal bullying, managers described supporting target's efforts to end bullying; for intrapersonal bullying, they described taking primary responsibility; and for ambiguous situations, they described several actions, including doing nothing. CONCLUSION: Managers have different responses to different categories of bullying. Efforts need to be made to make sure they are correctly identifying and appropriately responding to incidents of workplace bullying.
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Acoso Escolar , Relaciones Interprofesionales , Enfermeras Administradoras/psicología , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermeras y Enfermeros/psicología , Administración de Personal/métodosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death in the United States. Chronic disease management occurs within all aspects of an individual's life, including the workplace. Though the social constructs of gender, race, class, and immigration status within the workplace have been considered, their connection to disease management among workers has been less explicitly explored. Using a sample of immigrant hotel housekeepers, we explored the connections between these four social constructs and hypertension management. METHODS: This qualitative research study was guided by critical ethnography methodology. Twenty-seven hotel room cleaners and four housemen were recruited (N = 31) and invited to discuss their experiences with hypertension and hypertension management within the context of their work environments. RESULTS: Being a woman worker within the hotel industry was perceived to negatively influence participants' experience with hypertension and hypertension management. In contrast, being a woman played a protective role outside the workplace. Being an immigrant played both a positive and a negative role in hypertension and its management. Being black and from a low socioeconomic class had only adverse influences on participants' experience with hypertension and its management. CONCLUSION: Being a woman, black, lower class, and an immigrant simultaneously contribute to immigrant hotel housekeepers' health and their ability to effectively manage their hypertension. The connection between these four constructs (gender, race, class, and immigration status) and disease management must be considered during care provision. Hotel employers and policy stakeholders need to consider those constructs and how they impact workers' well-being. More studies are needed to identify what mitigates the associations between the intersectionality of these constructs and immigrant workers' health and disease management within their work environment.
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BACKGROUND: The personal and social impact of mental health problems and substance use on workforce participation is costly. Social determinants of health contribute significantly to health disparities beyond effects associated with work. Guided by a theory-driven model, we identified pathways by which social determinants shape immigrant worker health. METHOD: Associations between known social determinants of mental health problems and substance use (social discrimination, job and employment concerns, and social support) were examined using structural equation modeling in a sample of 1,397 immigrants from the Filipino American Community Epidemiological Study. RESULTS: Social discrimination and low social support were associated with mental health problems and substance use (P < 0.05). Job and employment concerns were associated with mental health problems, but not substance use. CONCLUSIONS: The integration of social factors into occupational health research is needed, along with prevention efforts designed for foreign-born ethnic minority workers.
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Asiático/psicología , Emigrantes e Inmigrantes/psicología , Satisfacción en el Trabajo , Trastornos Mentales/etiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Discriminación Social , Apoyo Social , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Estudios Transversales , Análisis Factorial , Femenino , Hawaii/epidemiología , Humanos , Masculino , Trastornos Mentales/etnología , Trastornos Mentales/psicología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Modelos Psicológicos , Modelos Estadísticos , Análisis Multivariante , Enfermedades Profesionales/etnología , Enfermedades Profesionales/psicología , Salud Laboral , Filipinas/etnología , Factores de Riesgo , San Francisco/epidemiología , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/etnología , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/etiología , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/psicología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
During their initial years in the receiving country, many immigrants experience occupational downgrading. Downgrading is a loss of occupational status between one's last job in the home country and first job in the receiving country, often resulting in overeducation or overqualification. Although the extent and determinants of such occupational trajectories have been characterized, the connection to immigrant worker health has not been widely examined. However, an emerging body of knowledge indicates that negative health outcomes are associated with overeducation and overqualification in general worker populations, suggesting similar experiences by immigrant workers. This article provides an overview of the magnitude and conceptualization of occupational downgrading, overeducation, and overqualification and discusses implications for immigrant worker health. Occupational health professionals should spearhead research efforts on occupational downgrading, raise public awareness about the issue, and serve as advocates for immigrant workers' rights.
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Emigrantes e Inmigrantes/estadística & datos numéricos , Enfermería del Trabajo , Salud Laboral/estadística & datos numéricos , Salud Laboral/tendencias , Defensa del Paciente , Educación Continua en Enfermería , Humanos , Estados Unidos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
High levels of youth employment, workplace hazards, and characteristics unique to adolescents contribute to a relatively high incidence of injuries among teens in the restaurant industry. This article discusses the ProSafety model of injury prevention among teen restaurant workers. Through integration with an existing career and technical education program, the ProSafety project seeks to prevent occupational injuries among the teen worker population through classroom safety education and internship skills reinforcement. ProSafety is the product of an innovative collaboration with occupational health nurses, business professionals, educators, and government. Its approach is derived from Social Cognitive Theory, is consistent with key values and strategies of occupational health nurses, and provides lessons for practitioners seeking to reduce occupational injuries in food service or among other populations of adolescent workers.
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Accidentes de Trabajo/prevención & control , Servicios de Salud del Adolescente/organización & administración , Educación en Salud/organización & administración , Enfermería del Trabajo/organización & administración , Servicios de Salud del Trabajador/organización & administración , Restaurantes , Adolescente , Curriculum , Humanos , Relaciones Interinstitucionales , Liderazgo , Modelos Educacionales , Rol de la Enfermera , Salud Laboral , Desarrollo de Programa , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Administración de la Seguridad , WashingtónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Smoking among the Asian American workforce has not been extensively researched. This study examines smoking prevalence among a nationally representative sample of Asian Americans with an emphasis on occupational classification. METHODS: Cross-sectional data come from the National Latino and Asian American Study. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine smoking prevalence by occupation, gender, and nativity, among 1,528 participants self-identifying as in the labor force. RESULTS: Blue collar workers reported the highest smoking prevalence (32%) followed by unemployed (19%), other (17%), service (14%), and white collar (10%). Among both employed males and females, blue collar workers had the highest prevalence (45% and 18%, respectively). By nativity, smoking was highest among blue collar workers for immigrants (25%) and highest among the unemployed for U.S. born (16%). Blue collar employment was significantly associated with being a current smoker (OR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.23-5.16; P < 0.05) controlling for demographics (e.g., age, gender, ethnic group, nativity, etc.). CONCLUSIONS: Findings reveal that smoking differs by occupation among Asian Americans. Future research should examine factors explaining differences while considering gender and nativity.
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Asiático , Empleo , Fumar/etnología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Hispánicos o Latinos , Humanos , Entrevistas como Asunto , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Ocupaciones/estadística & datos numéricos , Prevalencia , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Mental illness and substance use disorders are prevalent among workers. Each year businesses lose billions of dollars to decreased work performance associated with these issues. This article discusses a theoretical model that depicts relationships between social discrimination, job concerns, and social support and workers' mental health problems and substance use and work performance. The focus is Asian immigrant workers, a population underrepresented in the literature. This model serves to assist occupational health nurses in the practice and research arenas better understand the complexities of mental health problems and substance use among Asian immigrant workers. Occupational health nurses are in a prime position to recognize, identify, and respond to at-risk workers. Examples of areas that might be considered by occupational health nurses when using this model are included.
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Emigrantes e Inmigrantes , Trastornos Mentales/etnología , Modelos Psicológicos , Enfermedades Profesionales/etnología , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/etnología , Absentismo , Asia/etnología , Asiático/etnología , Asiático/estadística & datos numéricos , Barreras de Comunicación , Emigrantes e Inmigrantes/psicología , Emigrantes e Inmigrantes/estadística & datos numéricos , Evaluación del Rendimiento de Empleados , Humanos , Enfermería del Trabajo , Prejuicio , Prevalencia , Apoyo Social , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Evaluación de Capacidad de TrabajoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The Western Pacific region has the highest level of endemic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the world, with the Chinese representing nearly one-third of infected persons globally. HBV carriers are potentially infectious to others and have an increased risk of chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Studies from the U.S. and Canada demonstrate that immigrants, particularly from Asia, are disproportionately affected by liver cancer. PURPOSE: Given the different health care systems in Seattle and Vancouver, two geographically proximate cities, we examined HBV testing levels and factors associated with testing among Chinese residents of these cities. METHODS: We surveyed Chinese living in areas of Seattle and Vancouver with relatively high proportions of Chinese residents. In-person interviews were conducted in Cantonese, Mandarin, or English. Our bivariate analyses consisted of the chi-square test, with Fisher's Exact test as necessary. We then performed unconditional logistic regression, first examining only the city effect as the sole explanatory variable of the model, then assessing the adjusted city effect in a final main-effects model that was constructed through backward selection to select statistically significant variables at alpha=0.05. RESULTS: Survey cooperation rates for Seattle and Vancouver were 58% and 59%, respectively. In Seattle, 48% reported HBV testing, whereas in Vancouver, 55% reported testing. HBV testing in Seattle was lower than in Vancouver, with a crude odds ratio of 0.73 (95% CI = 0.56, 0.94). However after adjusting for demographic, health care access, knowledge, and social support variables, we found no significant differences in HBV testing between the two cities. In our logistic regression model, the odds of HBV testing were greatest when the doctor recommended the test, followed by when the employer asked for the test. DISCUSSION: Findings from this study support the need for additional research to examine the effectiveness of clinic-based and workplace interventions to promote HBV testing among immigrants to North America.
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Pueblo Asiatico/estadística & datos numéricos , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/prevención & control , Virus de la Hepatitis B/patogenicidad , Hepatitis B/diagnóstico , Cirrosis Hepática/prevención & control , Neoplasias Hepáticas/prevención & control , Adulto , Actitud Frente a la Salud , Canadá , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/etnología , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/virología , Emigrantes e Inmigrantes , Femenino , Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Encuestas Epidemiológicas , Hepatitis B/etnología , Humanos , Cirrosis Hepática/etnología , Cirrosis Hepática/virología , Neoplasias Hepáticas/etnología , Neoplasias Hepáticas/virología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pronóstico , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
Restaurants are an important source of employment for immigrants in the United States. This article discusses the findings from an ethnographic study on Chinese immigrant restaurant workers' occupational injury and illness experiences. Eighteen participants were interviewed; 10 of whom attended follow-up focus groups. The author used ethnographic content analysis to analyze the data. On-the-job cuts and burns were the most common injuries. Musculoskeletal disorders, or specifically aches and pains, soreness, or numbness were the most troubling occupational illnesses. The author identified three cultural concepts pertinent to the causes of occupational illnesses during data analysis. Participants used multiple methods to heal their injuries and illnesses and to keep themselves safe and healthy. Implications for cultural competence in US occupational safety and health research and practice and elimination of health disparities in immigrant workers conclude the article.
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Asiático , Emigrantes e Inmigrantes , Enfermedades Profesionales/etnología , Exposición Profesional , Restaurantes , Heridas y Lesiones/etnología , Accidentes de Trabajo/prevención & control , Antropología Cultural , China/etnología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedades Musculoesqueléticas/etnología , Enfermedades Musculoesqueléticas/prevención & control , Enfermedades Profesionales/prevención & control , Autocuidado , Taiwán/etnología , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Heridas y Lesiones/prevención & controlRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Enhance Fitness (EF) (formerly the Lifetime Fitness Program) is an evidence-based community exercise program for older adults. From 1998 to 2005, participation of ethnic older adults increased significantly. However, little research is available about what ethnic older adults want or need to continue participation in exercise programs. The purpose of this study was to examine how physical environment, social environment, and individual biology and behavior influence adherence to exercise for ethnic older adults participating in EF. METHODS: Six focus groups were conducted with 52 older adults participating in EF. Facilitators asked questions about factors that helped participants continue exercising in EF. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Transcripts were systematically reviewed using content analysis. RESULTS: Focus group participants were Chinese (n = 21, 40%), African American (n = 18, 35%), white (n = 10, 19%), and Japanese (n = 3, 6%). Mean (SD) age was 76 years (7.4). Participants had, on average, participated in EF for 44 months (SD = 37.8). Results revealed four themes related to adherence. First, environmental factors that promoted adherence were location of the classes, transportation, weather, and the facility. Second, design of the exercise program that encouraged adherence included exercise content and type of delivery. Third, social support factors that encouraged adherence were the socializing and support between class participants and support from family, health care providers, and the class instructors. Finally, individual factors that encouraged adherence were personality traits and feelings, past physical activity experience, health benefits, and mental stimulation. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study suggest strategies for developing community-based physical activity programs for older adults from ethnically diverse communities.
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Actitud Frente a la Salud/etnología , Etnicidad/estadística & datos numéricos , Ejercicio Físico/fisiología , Estilo de Vida/etnología , Cooperación del Paciente/estadística & datos numéricos , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Etnicidad/psicología , Ejercicio Físico/psicología , Femenino , Grupos Focales , Encuestas Epidemiológicas , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Aptitud Física , Medición de Riesgo , Medio Social , Factores Socioeconómicos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
Historically, Chinese immigrants to the United States have worked in restaurants to support their families. Hazards and risks associated with this population's work in restaurants are underrepresented in the literature. This ethnographic study used interviews, participant-observations, and follow-up focus sessions with 18 immigrants from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to identify potential physical, biological, enviromechanical, chemical, and psychosocial hazards that they face. Psychosocial hazards were most often mentioned by the participants; biological hazards were not identified in the data. Practice and research implications for addressing health disparities in this population are discussed.
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Accidentes de Trabajo , Asiático , Emigración e Inmigración , Exposición Profesional , Restaurantes , Seguridad , Estrés Psicológico/etnología , Lugar de Trabajo/psicología , Adulto , Antropología Cultural/métodos , Asiático/psicología , China/etnología , Femenino , Hong Kong/etnología , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Investigación en Enfermería , Investigación Cualitativa , Medición de Riesgo , Factores de Riesgo , Factores Socioeconómicos , Taiwán/etnología , Salud Urbana , Washingtón/epidemiología , Recursos HumanosRESUMEN
Immigrant youth often rebuild their friendships and other social networks after arriving in a new country. The difficulties involved can threaten their psychosocial development. Formation of social networks needs to be understood within the macro sociocultural context that shapes the experience. Nonetheless, the current literature on social network formation rarely captures that context. Knowledge about immigrant youths' social network, for example, is often embedded in assimilation, ethnic identity, and adaptation literature. This paper examines how the sociocultural context enables immigrant youth to rebuild their friendship networks. A critical ethnography was conducted in the northwest region of the United States. Sixteen Taiwanese immigrant youth and their parents (N = 13) participated in the study. Data collection consisted of semi-structured in-depth interviews, a demographic questionnaire, and participant observations. The findings showed that because of limited English proficiency, the youth kept at a distance from American peers to avoid nervousness and embarassment. Further analysis, derived from xenophobia, found that limited English proficiency increases segregation between American peers ("we") and immigrant youth ("the other"). The English as a Second Language program inadvertently perpetuates the immigrants' sense of "otherness" and increases the odds of their becoming targets of discrimination. A protective factor for these youths is living near an ethnic community because the inclusion of coethnics increases new friendship networks. Knowledge about the teen culture in coethnics' countries of origin (China, Hong Kong, or the United States), also influences their selection of friends.
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Barreras de Comunicación , Emigración e Inmigración , Prejuicio , Aislamiento Social , Apoyo Social , Aculturación , Adolescente , Adulto , Antropología Cultural , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Relaciones Interpersonales , Masculino , Multilingüismo , Noroeste de Estados Unidos , Grupo Paritario , Identificación Social , Taiwán/etnologíaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To summarize how computer technology influenced immigrant families' adaptation to life in the United States. DESIGN: Critical ethnography. METHODS: Data were collected from 1998 to 2000 from 13 parents and 16 children from nine Taiwanese immigrant families using semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire. Narrative analysis was used with interview data. FINDINGS: Participants faced the demands of language proficiency, economic survival, loss of social networks, and social disconnection during resettlement. Computer technology provided participants with new occupational opportunities and strategies to overcome the barriers and stress created by resettlement. Internet and E-mail access greatly facilitated these participant families' adaptation. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings warrant further exploration to assess bow new computer technology promotes immigrant families' adaptation and alleviates stress associated with resettlement, including information about their health and health care.
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Aculturación , Adaptación Psicológica , Actitud hacia los Computadores/etnología , Correo Electrónico/estadística & datos numéricos , Emigración e Inmigración , Internet/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Niño , Alfabetización Digital , Capacitación de Usuario de Computador , Etnología , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Promoción de la Salud , Humanos , Relaciones Interpersonales , Persona de Mediana Edad , Multilingüismo , Noroeste de Estados Unidos , Rol de la Enfermera , Investigación Metodológica en Enfermería , Aislamiento Social , Apoyo Social , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Taiwán/etnologíaRESUMEN
AIM: This paper reports the findings of a study that explored characteristics of relationships of Japanese immigrant women partnered both intraculturally and interculturally, and analysed the role of Japanese culture in these relationships. BACKGROUND: Immigration can cause shifts in interpersonal structures with partners. When there are large discrepancies in gender roles and communication styles between the original and host cultures, the psychological impact on both partners may be significant. However, currently no empirical data are available to support this assumption. METHODS: Ten cases selected from the 68 medical records of Japanese-speaking women seen at a mental health clinic from September 2001 to September 2004 were analysed. All of the 10 women met DSM IV-TR criteria of major depressive disorder and were taking antidepressants. Half of the 10 women were in intimate intercultural partnered relationships and the remainder of the matched cases were in intracultural relationships at the time of treatment. The two cohorts were matched in age (36.2 and 43.2 years), length of stay in the United States of America (12 and 16.2 years), and length of treatment (1.2 and 1 years). The length of time of the sample in individual psychodynamic psychotherapy ranged from 20 to 317 hours, depending on the intensity of therapy. FINDINGS: Inductive data analysis revealed two themes: (1) Lack of awareness of differences in culturally bound communication by Japanese women in intercultural partnerships; (2) Lack of individuality in Japanese women in intracultural partnerships. Neither group appeared to consider relational aspects of partnership, or to make efforts to improve direct communication with their partners. CONCLUSION: The influence of Japanese culture on gender role and communication styles functions contrary to the mainstream Western culture of the United States of America. In the future, interpersonal elements of cultural differences between host and original cultures in immigration should be considered in research related to immigrants' mental health. This approach should lead to effective interventions to facilitate mental health among immigrants, and regardless of purposes of immigration or length of stay in a psychosocially foreign environment.