Cultural factors in the clinical assessment of Asian Americans.

Abstract

In view of the growing interest in the influence of cultural factors in psychological assessment, this article critically evaluates assessment issues with Asian American populations. Examined are issues in (a) the extent and symptoms of psychopathology, (b) personality assessment, and (c) face-to-face clinical assessment. It is argued that, without understanding cultural factors, researchers and practitioners may draw inappropriate and invalid conclusions. Cultural factors are important not only in providing a context for interpreting assessment outcomes but also in suggesting appropriate conceptual and methodological strategies. Suggestions are made for improving assessment strategies and for testing the limitations and generality of constructs.Clinical psychologists have become increasingly aware of limitations in the assessment tools used to evaluate the psychological status of ethnic minority groups. These limitations are particularly apparent when assessment instruments have not been standardized or validated on these groups and when the ethnic individuals are markedly different from mainstream Americans (Brislin, Lonner, & Thorndike, 1973). Yet, assessment must proceed. The clinician who encounters a culturally dissimilar client is often required to make an evaluation of the client; researchers interested in cross-cultural comparisons frequently must use psychological tests; and mental health planners or administrators need to evaluate the well-being of all Americans.This article discusses the impact of cultural variables on the clinical and personality assessment of Asian Americans. Several points are made. First, assessment tools and strategies have generated findings that often portray Asian Americans in an inaccurate or inconsistent manner. Second, an understanding of cultural values forms a context from which one can interpret assessment results and test hypotheses. Third, new strategies in assessment are needed for researchers and practitioners to draw more valid conclusions regarding Asian Americans. These three points are applied to our discussion of the extent and symptoms of psychopathology, the personality characteristics, and the clinical assessment of Asian Americans. In view of the paucity of research on Asian Americans, we have used other available research findings, including data from overseas Asian populations, to provide information and to illustrate problems in assessment. Before summarizing and critically evaluating our research and the research of others, we will briefly describe the Asian American population. Asian American PopulationAsian Americans currently number over 3'A million individuals in the United States and constitute one of the fastest growing minority populations. Since 1975, over 700,000 refugees

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