Title: The constructed nature of ethnicity in health research: A case study of the use of primary mental health care by a Filipino-American population
Abstract: The concepts of ethnicity and culture are poorly conceptualised in health psychology in spite of calls for their reconsideration made over fifteen years ago (Landrine & Klonoff, 1992). To increase the relevance and application of these concepts to public health and health promotion activities for diverse populations, health psychology has to address both the theoretical conceptualizations of, and research practices involving such concepts (Chamberlain & Hepworth, forthcoming; Hepworth, 2004; 2006). Critical debate about the categorization of race/ethnicity in health clearly highlights its potential to reproduce 'biological reductionism or cultural essentialism' (Ellison, 2005), and that it is imperative to take account of the breadth and complexity of these issues in conducting population specific studies. Zagefka's (2008) analysis of the constructed nature of ethnicity clearly illustrates how researchers can take forward culturally specific studies using strategies that, for example, make the path to the interpretation of findings explicit. This paper presents a summary of the key issues in conducting culturally specific studies and how these can inform the evidence base of a framework for evaluating health research. A case study of research about the use of primary mental health services by a Filipino‐American population is examined to illustrate this framework and identify its broader implications for health research and practice.
Publication Year: 2009
Publication Date: 2009-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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