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A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SHAMANISM AND CHRISTIANITY’S PERSPECTIVE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN THE HMONG COMMUNITY A Project Presented to the faculty of the Division of Social Work California State University, Sacramento Submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK by Lee Thao Yeng Yang SPRING 2016 A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SHAMANISM AND CHRISTIANITY’S PERSPECTIVE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN THE HMONG COMMUNITY A Project by Lee Thao Yeng Yang Approved by: __________________________________, Committee Chair Maria Dinis, Ph.D., MSW ____________________________ Date ii Students: Lee Thao Yeng Yang I certify that these students have met the requirements for format contained in the University format manual, and that this project is suitable for shelving in the Library and credit is to be awarded for the project. __________________________, Graduate Program Director________________ Dr. S. Torres, Jr. Date Division of Social Work iii Abstract of A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SHAMANISM AND CHRISTIANITY’S PERSPECTIVE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN THE HMONG COMMUNITY by Lee Thao Yeng Yang The study is a comparative analysis of Shamanism and Christianity beliefs of how it affects the perception of mental health in the Hmong community. The design of the study is a descriptive quantitative cross-sectional survey that uses the Likert Scale to measure the participants’ attitudes and beliefs toward mental illnesses and mental health services. A convenience sample of Hmong people was selected at the Hmong New Year festivities. There were 110 surveys completed. The chi-square tests were used to determine the relationship between perceptions of mental health and type of religion. There were no statistical significance differences found between perceptions of mental health and types of religions. Both types of religions have similar responses to perceptions of mental illness. Implications for social work practice are discussed. , Committee Chair Maria Dinis, Ph.D., MSW _______________________ Date iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page List of Tables ............................................................................................................. viii List of Figures .............................................................................................................. ix Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 1 Statement of Collaboration ............................................................................... 1 Background of Problem .................................................................................... 2 Statement of Research Problem ....................................................................... 4 Purpose of Study ............................................................................................... 5 Research Question ............................................................................................ 6 Theoretical Framework .................................................................................... 6 Social Construction Theory .................................................................. 6 Application of Social Construction ....................................................... 7 Ecological System Theory ................................................................... 8 Application of Ecological System Perspective .................................... 9 Definition of Terms......................................................................................... 10 Assumptions ................................................................................................... 11 Justification .................................................................................................... 11 Delimitations .................................................................................................. 12 Summary ........................................................................................................ 13 v 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ............................................................................... 14 Historical Background of the Hmong People, Religion, and Mental Health .. 14 Hmong People .................................................................................... 14 Religion .............................................................................................. 16 Animism/Shamanism ......................................................................... 18 Christianity ......................................................................................... 24 Mental Health...................................................................................... 25 Western Treatment Approaches for Mental Illness ........................................ 28 Hmong Treatment Approaches for Mental Health ........................................ 30 Gaps in the Literature...................................................................................... 33 Summary ......................................................................................................... 34 3. METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................... 35 Research Question .......................................................................................... 35 Research Design.............................................................................................. 35 Variables ......................................................................................................... 38 Study Population ............................................................................................ 39 Sample Population ......................................................................................... 39 Instrumentation ................................................................................................40 Hmong New Year Events Data Gathering and Procedures ........................... 41 Data Analysis ................................................................................................. 42 Protection of Human Subjects ........................................................................ 42 Summary ......................................................................................................... 43 vi 4. DATA ANALYSIS ............................................................................................... 44 Demographics ................................................................................................ 44 Influences of Religions .................................................................................. 48 How does Shamanism and Christianity Affect the Perception of Mental Illnesses in the Hmong Community? .............................................................. 50 Perspective of Mental Illness .............................................................. 50 How Does Shamanism and Christianity Affect the Perception of Mental Health Services in the Hmong Community? .................................................. 55 Perspective of Mental Health Services .............................................. 55 Other Factors Influencing Perspective of Mental Illness and Services .......... 60 Summary ......................................................................................................... 67 5. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 68 Summary ......................................................................................................... 68 Discussion ....................................................................................................... 70 Implications for Social Work Practice and Policy .......................................... 72 Recommendations ........................................................................................... 74 Limitations ..................................................................................................... 75 Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 76 Appendix A. Participation Confirmation / Letter of Informed Consent ................... 77 Appendix B. Questionnaire ....................................................................................... 78 Appendix C. Human Subject Approval Letter .......................................................... 80 References ................................................................................................................... 81 vii LIST OF TABLES Tables Page 1. Table 1 Influences of Religions...…………………………...….…………....49 2. Table 2 Mental Illness is Normal..…………………………….……………..51 3. Table 3 Mental Illness is Embarrassing…….…………….………………….52 4. Table 4 Mental Illnesses Affects Everyone…………………………….……53 5. Table 5 Mental Illness Can Be Treated By Mental Health Professionals…...54 6. Table 6 Mental Health Services Are Effective ……………………………...56 7. Table 7 Everyone Should Use Mental Health Services……………………...57 8. Table 8 Seeking Mental Health Services is Embarrassing…………………..58 9. Table 9 Everyone Should Refer Mental Health Services……………………59 10. Table 10 Gender & Refer to Mental Health Services ……………………….61 11. Table 11 Age & Refer to Mental Health Services…………………………...62 12. Table 12 Education & Refer to Mental Health