Coping and Adaptation Patterns among Chinese, Indian, and Malay Families Caring for a Mentally Ill Relative

Abstract

Families caring for chronically mentally ill relatives often experience considerable stress and hardship. To adapt, family members must learn new coping strategies and make sufficient use of informal and formal support systems in the community. The authors examined cultural variations in the coping and adaptation process among three main ethnic groups in Singapore (Chinese, Malay, and Indian). Interviews conducted with primary caregivers in 30 families showed cross-cultural differences in the adverse effects on the family system, the use of coping strategies, and the utilization of support networks. A culturally sensitive, indigenous model of community mental health services designed to overcome family resistance is presented.