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Journal of Transcultural Nursing, Vol. 17, No. 1, 40-49 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1043659605281975
© 2006 SAGE Publications

Psychological and Mental Illness Among Elder Immigrants From the Former Soviet Union

Svetlana A. Polyakova, MSN, MS, RN

St. Mary’s Hospital

Dula F. Pacquiao, EdD, RN, CTN

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

The study examined the cultural context of psychological illness among elder immigrants from the former Soviet Union (FSU). Kleinman’s (1980) explanatory model of illness and Leininger’s theory of culture care (1997) provided the conceptual framework for the study. Participant Observations were conducted in an Adult Day Care Center and Senior Housing. Twenty-three key informants and 10 general informants participated. The social and historical context of the FSU influenced the meaning, attitudes, expressions, and coping strategies toward psychological and mental illness. Cultural stigma influenced the attribution of cause, somatic expression of symptoms, and attitudes toward seeking professional help. Psychological illness was unrecognized, whereas mental illness was viewed as lack of dusha (inner strength and moral character). Group differences were evident with ethnicity as a significant influence in symptom recognition, expression, and attitude toward seeking professional help.

Key Words: mental illness • elder immigrants • Soviet immigrants • stigma of mental illness


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