This is the second phase of a study exploring the cultural characteristics of immigrant Somali families who have settled in Minnesota, with a specific focus on the acculturation issues encountered by the children and adolescents in these families. In the first phase of this project, the authors examined the cultural dynamics that influence the psychiatric care of adult immigrant Somalis in three Minnesota communities.They identified a variety of acculturation-related stressors and perceived barriers to psychiatric and medical care, and they recommended solutions to promote cultural reciprocity for both the Somali community and healthcare providers. With immigration to the United States, issues such as conceptualization and management patterns of psychiatric illnesses not previously recognized in this culture and the emergence of a possible new Somali/American ???culture-bound syndrome??? have become critical in the overall acculturative experience of Somali immigrants into the US. (Description from source)
