Sections
Ethnic, Cultural, and Religious Issues: Introduction | History of Cultural Psychiatry and Key Definitions | Cultural Aspects of Typical Child Development and Family
Life | Culture and Psychopathology | Culture, Ethnicity, and Psychopharmacology | Religion, Spirituality, and Culture | Research Directions | Summary Points | References
Excerpt
Over the past 30 years, North America has experienced
unparalleled changes in the ethnicities and nationalities that residents
claim as their primary identity or background. Racial groups officially
recognized by the 2000 U.S. Census included white, black or African
American, Native American or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian
and other Pacific Islander, and other. Of these, African Americans
comprised the largest group of persons of color, followed by Hispanics/Latinos.
The total U.S. population increased by 13.2% between 1990
and 2000, with several nonwhite groups making significant gains
in absolute numbers and percentages (U.S. Bureau of the Census 2001). A substantial and ever-growing percentage of children and
families, whether permanent residents or transients, are immersed
in a "home" of family-of-origin culture while
surrounded by a variety of U.S. local and national environments.
The explosion of cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity of society
and its implications for patient care require our intentional study
and consideration.