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Cross-Cultural Considerations with Japanese American Clients: A Perspective on Psychological Assessment

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Guide to Psychological Assessment with Asians

Abstract

Japanese Americans comprise a heterogeneous mix of people ranging from recent immigrants to individuals whose families have lived in the United States for multiple generations. As such, there is much variability in the experiences of and acculturation of Japanese Americans living in the United States, as well as the degree in which Japanese customs, beliefs, and values impact a person’s mental health. The aim of this chapter is to offer guidelines when working with Japanese American clients by providing a comprehensive description of cross-cultural considerations and culturally bound syndromes of psychopathology that may be pertinent to Japanese Americans. Japanese customs and beliefs that may affect psychological assessment and therapy are reviewed, followed by an overview of the presentation of depression, anxiety, substance use, major mental illness, and eating disorders amongst Japanese and Japanese American clients. This chapter closes with a case sample illustrating how Japanese values and family dynamics can impact conceptualization and treatment direction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Los Angeles Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA

    Nicholas S. Thaler Ph.D.

  2. ABPP-CN, Veterans Affairs, Pacific Island Health Care Services Community Living Center, 459 Patterson Road, Honolulu, HI, 96819-1522, USA

    Daryl E. M. Fujii Ph.D.

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  1. Nicholas S. Thaler Ph.D.
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  2. Daryl E. M. Fujii Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Nicholas S. Thaler Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Nevada and Northcentral University, Graduate School Faculty, Prescott Valley, AZ, USA, Reno, Nevada, USA

    Lorraine T. Benuto

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Nicholas S. Thaler

  3. Graduate School Faculty, Prescott Valley, AZ, USA, Lake's Crossing Center: Maximum Security Facility for Forensic Mental Health Services (Reno, NV) & Northcentral University, Reno, Nevada, USA

    Brian D. Leany

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Thaler, N.S., Fujii, D.E.M. (2014). Cross-Cultural Considerations with Japanese American Clients: A Perspective on Psychological Assessment. In: Benuto, L., Thaler, N., Leany, B. (eds) Guide to Psychological Assessment with Asians. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0796-0_3

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