The Chinese Student—Acculturation and Mental Illness

Abstract

This paper reviews the history of the Chinese student in America and examines the conflicts which the special role of the Chinese on campus created. Specifically the nature of the problems manifested by Chinese students who sought help through the student health program at a large West Coast university are examined as a reflection of the stresses caused by currently changing attitudes toward assimilation in the Chinese-American population. Interestingly, except for a brief overview by Fong, this is a group that, despite its size and significance, has been ignored in the literature.