A Sociodemographic Profile of Asian Americans Served in Community Mental Health Centers for a Diagnosis of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder

Little is known about Asian Americans treated for serious psychiatric disorders in the public mental health system. We characterized 75 Asian Americans seen at community mental health centers for a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder to anticipate likely clients and gain insights into their service needs. Participants completed in-person interviews and self-report questionnaires on their demographic and social characteristics. The ethnically diverse sample featured mostly foreign-born individuals with long-standing schizophrenia. Findings highlighted participants’ differential experience of social adversities and stressful events, but also revealed salient cultural resources that shielded some from the social sequelae of schizophrenia. Recovery-oriented mental health programs staffed by culturally and linguistically compatible providers remain key to engaging this marginalized population in service. Findings also uphold a holistic management of schizophrenia spectrum disorder among racial and ethnic minorities, taking into account the complex social needs of afflicted individuals.