Quilting stories and embracing culture: an arts-informed narrative inquiry exploring the experiences of an older Chinese Canadian immigrant with depression
Date
2016-07-01
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Abstract
Chinese immigrants tend to underutilize mental health services. Cultural and
linguistic barriers may discourage Chinese immigrants from accessing these services.
Yet, a paucity of qualitative research that explores the experiences of older Chinese
Canadian immigrants with depression exists in the mental health literature. This study
explored how older Chinese immigrants (age 55+) experience depression, and what their stories reveal about the sources of mental health support that they use. Using arts-informed
narrative inquiry methods, I conducted a series of five research sessions with a
co-participant from the Chinese Canadian community in the Greater Toronto Area.
Narrative patterns regarding identity, voice, and communication, as well as a prominent
narrative thread of relationship, emerged from my co-participant’s story. This study
illustrates the heterogeneity that exists within this group, and illuminates the value of a
person-centered and culturally safe approach to providing mental healthcare to older
Chinese immigrants with depression.
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Keywords
Chinese immigrant, Depression, Mental health, Narrative inquiry, Arts-informed methods