Subjective norms toward social support among Japanese American elderly in New York City: Why help does not always help

Attributing Variance in Supportive Care Needs during Cancer: Culture-Service, and Individual Differences, before Clinical Factors

“…Non-symmetrical support exchanges are associated with loneliness and dissatisfaction. [31], [32] This may increase psychological isolation at a time of significant stress. Alternatively, to preserve wa in domestic relationships and avoid overburdening family, cancer patients may anticipate greater psychological support from clinicians who, assuming domestic support avoid amae, thereby inadvertently psychologically isolating patients [33].…”

Diversity Within Diversity

“…But a sizable proportion of Asian American elders, especially those at the bottom rung of the socioeconomic ladder, suffer from poor health, lack of financial resources, and poor English language skills. Elderly immigrants also suffer from lack of participation in meaningful role/leisure activities, difficulty in forming new friendships and other social relationships, and intergenerational conflict (due in part to different levels of acculturation among family members; Kiefer et al, 1985;Nemoto, 1998;Wong & Ujimoto, 1998;Wu, F. Y. T., 1975). These multiple adjustment problems increase the elders' vulnerability to depression and/or anxiety disorders.…”

“…Inability to communicate in English also limits the elders' access to centerbased services/programs, such as those provided by senior centers and adult day care facilities. Cultural factors, including Asian values of self-reliance and the reluctance and shame attached to bringing personal problems to strangers, are powerful inhibitors to these elders' seeking external help (Cho, 1998;Lee, J. J., 1987;Nemoto, 1998;Zhang, Snowden, & Sue, 1998). In addition, cultural beliefs and attitudes also affect perceptions of problems and modalities available for treatment of the problems, be they physical illnesses or mental disorders.…”

“…Chinese, Korean, and Japanese American elders who lived with others (mostly children, as opposed to living alone) and had more frequent contact with and received emotional support from family members and friends were less likely to be depressed than those who lacked or were not satisfied with such support (Lee, M. S. et al, 1996;Mui, 1996;Nemoto, 1998;Zhang et al, 1997). A study of elderly Indochinese refugees also reported that those who lived with their elders had higher social adjustment scores than those with other living arrangements (Tran, 1991).…”

Help-Seeking and Social Support in Japanese Sojourners

“…Rather, engagement within a group offers the benefits of security, despite the obligation of personal sacrifice. Nemoto (1998) studied social exchange norms in a sample of elderly Japanese in New York and found that received support required reciprocity. Furthermore, individuals experienced shame when asking for support outside of their close family.…”