Rapid accumulation of information on genetic theories of etiology of mental illness may change the way the general public understands mental illness, behave toward the mentally ill, and support public policy and programs to help those with mental illness. However, given the cultural diversity in the United States, emerging knowledge may mean different things to different culture groups within the population, particularly individuals who are more recent immigrants or persons who retain a close identification with a non-mainstream ethnic heritage. This project examines how developing conceptions of the genetic transmission of mental illness within a lay population reflect shared attitudes of the heritage culture as compared with attitudes of host culture members. We ask whether acculturation to American mainstream culture influences concepts of genetic etiology of mental illness? Do concepts of genetics vary systematically with degree of bi-culturalism or acculturation to host versus natal culture? To investigate these questions we use a bi-cultural acculturation scale and a vignette design followed by open-ended questions to perform the experimental manipulation of making progressive amounts of genetic information about schizophrenia available to participants. Using this protocol we analyze qualitative interviews administered to 100 men and women of five ethnic groups. We expect this study to deepen our understanding of consequences of rapidly changing genetic information and to enable us to clarify the link between the individual's acculturation into the host culture, maintenance of her natal culture, and the integration of new information that results in culture change.
Learning Objectives: Session participants will be able to: 1. recognize variation in cultural conceptions of genetic theories of etiology of mental illness 2. apply understanding of those cultural concepts to research and interactions with those with mental illness and their families.
Keywords: Genetics, Culture
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.