The Mental Health of Ethnic Minority Groups: Challenges Posed by the Supplement to the Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health

Abstract

In contrast to the conclusions reached by the Supplement to the Surgeon General's report on mental health, there is evidence that the various ethnic minority groups may exhibit significant differences in the prevalence of mental disorder. These differences cannot be fully explained by disparities or inequities in mental health services. African Americans appear to have relatively low prevalence rates despite a history of prejudice, discrimination, and the resulting stress. Ethnic differences are also revealed by findings that acculturation is negatively related to mental health for Mexican Americans and positively related to mental health for Asian Americans. Implications of these findings are discussed.