Cultural Differences and Conceptualization of Depression by the Hmong People

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Effects of Cultural Differences

Due to cultural differences between the Hmong people and the Western world, it is very hard for Hmong to get a diagnosis, much less physical treatments. In addition, Hmong people lacks the education they require in order to properly verbalize their symptoms (Dearborn, 2008). Furthermore, since traditional Hmong people have a deep attachment to their culture, this results in less hospital visits or communication to a professional and more incline in asking a Shaman to perform healing rituals (Siegel et al., 2001). The Shaman ceremonies also cannot be conducted in the hospital because it is necessary that the soul must be called back to the sick person’s home (Johnson, 2002). Even though the cultural differences can help Hmong people spiritually, this can cause a barrier for physicians to help them physically and psychologically.

Conclusion

The film “The Split Horn” shows where sickness could originate from to the Hmong people and the things they do in order to cure it. In Paja’s case, looking at this in the biomedical perspective, it is possible to say that his depression arose from living in the mountains to suddenly needing to go United States, his children leaving his house and not able to maintain his traditions. When everyone gathered together, the feeling of loneliness went away and so did his depression. However, this really could be because his soul went away and the Shaman was able to bring it back. Though depression might be different to everyone due to his or her culture, it is important to realize that depression is a sickness no matter how it originated and should be paid careful attention to. No matter how culturally distinct one person might be from another, it is possible to find a common ground between them, just like how Xue’s baby brought the family together and how Paja’s daughter are willing to come to Wisconsin in order to make their father happy. Even though traditions and culture can influence changes in mental health behaviour, it is also required to maintain happiness in daily life.

Bibliography

Dearborn, L. M. (2008). Reconstituting Hmong Culture and Traditions in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review, 19(2), 37–49.

Depression. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depression

Johnson, S. (2002). Hmong health beliefs and experiences in the western health care system. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 13(2), 126-132.

Kleinman, A. (2004). Culture and Depression. The New England Journal of Medicine, 351(10), 951-953.

Lee, S., & Chang, J. (2012). Mental health status of the hmong americans in 2011: Three decades revisited. Journal of Social Work in Disability & Rehabilitation, 11(1), 55-70.

Kleinman, A. (2004). Culture and Depression. The New England Journal of Medicine, 351(10), 951-953.

McSilver, S. (Producer), Siegel, S. (Producer). & Siegel, T. (Producer) (Director). (2001). The Split Horn: Life of a Hmong Shaman in America [Motion picture]. United States: Collective Eye Films.