Chinese people’s experiences of mental health: A Review of Family Support Globally and an Analysis of Hong Kong Second-Generation Chinese Immigrants’ Lived Experiences in the UK

As part of a Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, the author of this thesis was particularly interested in exploring Chinese people’s experiences of mental health difficulties. The investigation included a review of the literature to explore the experiences of family support for Chinese people with mental health issues globally, and an analysis of Hong Kong second-generation Chinese Immigrants’ lived experiences in the UK.

Paper one presents a comprehensive meta-ethnographic review of the literature exploring familial support for Chinese people with mental health difficulties globally. Fifteen papers were identified, and the findings were critically appraised, synthesised, and analysed. Seven key themes are discussed in relation to the lived experiences of mental health support from the perspectives of family caregivers’ and Chinese individuals.

Paper two presents a qualitative analysis of Hong Kong second-generation Chinese immigrants’ experiences of mental health support. Purposive sampling was used to identify seven participants from the UK who had lived experience of mental health difficulties. Semi-structured interviews provided data for an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and three main themes were identified.

Paper three presents an executive summary of the findings described in paper two, in an accessible format. The summary is aimed at Hong Kong second-generation Chinese immigrants and those interested in finding out more about Chinese people’s experiences of mental health and how they may obtain support for mental health difficulties.