Social Change and Psychosocial Adaptation in the Pacific Islands: Cultures in Transition (International and Cultural Psychology)

The history of the Pacific Islands is noted for great upheavals, from colonization to tribal warfare, natural disasters to nuclear testing. More recently, political change, increasing technology and urbanization, and conflict between traditional and Western cultures have led to considerable social problems in the region. Substance and alcohol abuse, violence, cultural displacement, and suicide bring uncertainty to day-to-day life and stretch already overextended social resources. Social Change and Psychosocial Adaptation in the Pacific Islands sensitively balances situations applicable across this vast geographical area with data and events relevant to individual nations in Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. Chapters are written by native clinicians, cultural anthropologists, cross-cultural psychologists, and other professionals serving the region, specifically focusing on: - Hawaii- Aboriginal Australia - The Solomon Islands - Fiji - Guam - The Marshall Islands - The Federated States of Micronesia Each provides historical background, details the country’s ethnic makeup, summarizes major cultural identity/survival issues, and examines its existing health care and mental health care systems. The tasks ahead are large. Practitioners, researchers, and other professionals working with the peoples of the Pacific need culturally attuned resources to better collaborate on interventions, prevention programs, and policy. Social Change and Psychosocial Adaptation in the Pacific Islands rises to this complex challenge. The History Of The Pacific Islands Is Noted For Great Upheavals, From Colonization To Tribal Warfare, Natural Disasters To Nuclear Testing. More Recently, Political Change, Increasing Technology And Urbanization, And Conflict Between Traditional And Western Cultures Have Led To Considerable Social Problems In The Region. Substance And Alcohol Abuse, Violence, Cultural Displacement, And Suicide Bring Uncertainty To Day-to-day Life And Stretch Already Overextended Social Resources. Social Change And Psychosocial Adaptation In The Pacific Islands Sensitively Balances Situations Applicable Across This Vast Geographical Area With Data And Events Relevant To Individual Nations In Polynesia, Melanesia, And Micronesia. Chapters Are Written By Native Clinicians, Cultural Anthropologists, Cross-cultural Psychologists, And Other Professionals Serving The Region. Each Provides Historical Background, Details The Country's Ethnic Makeup, Summarizes Major Cultural Identity/survival Issues, And Examines Its Existing Health Care And Mental Health Care Systems.--jacket. Introduction / Anthony J. Marsella, Ayda Aukahi Austin, Bruce Grant -- Social Change In The Pacific: Problems Old, Problems New, Problems Borrowed / Eugene Ogan -- The Dynamics Of Cultural Trauma: Implications For The Pacific Nations / Michael Salzman -- Globalization Of Human Services For Indigenous Youth In The Northern Territory, Australia / Bridie O'reilly, Stuart Carr, Floyd Bolitho -- Fiji's Move Into The 21st Century / Robin Taylor -- Federated States Of Micronesia: Islands In The Sun / Joakim Peter, Marcus Samo -- Guam: Caught Amidst Change And Tradition / Juan Rapadas, Mamie Balajadia, Donald Rubinstein -- Understanding Substance Use And Violent Behavior In A Native Hawaiian Community / Ayda Aukahi Austin, Anthony J. Marsella -- The Republic Of The Marshall Islands / Michael Jenkins, Cleveland Mcswain -- Alcohol And Drug Use In Honiara, Solomon Islands: A Cause For Concern / Rolf Kuschel, Angikinui Francis T. Takiika, Kiu 'angiki -- Building Capacity For Epidemiologic Surveillance Of Alcohol And Other Drug Problems In The Us-related Pacific Islands / Amelia M. Arria, James C. Anthony -- Some Closing Comments / Anthony J. Marsella, Ayda Aukahi Austin, Bruce A. Grant. Edited By Anthony J. Marsella, Ayda Aukahi Austin, Bruce A. Grant. Conference Papers. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The history of the Pacific Islands is noted for great upheavals, from colonization to tribal warfare, natural disasters to nuclear testing. More recently, political change, increasing technology and urbanization, and conflict between traditional and Western cultures have led to considerable social problems in the region. Substance and alcohol abuse, violence, cultural displacement, and suicide bring uncertainty to day-to-day life and stretch already overextended social resources. "Social Change and Psychosocial Adaptation in the Pacific Islands" sensitively balances situations applicable across this vast geographical area with data and events relevant to individual nations in Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. Chapters are written by native clinicians, cultural anthropologists, cross-cultural psychologists, and other professionals serving the region, specifically focusing on: Hawaii, Aboriginal Australia, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Guam, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Each provides historical background, details the country's ethnic makeup, summarizes major cultural identity/survival issues, and examines its existing health care and mental health care systems. The tasks ahead are large. Practitioners, researchers, and other professionals working with the peoples of the Pacific need culturally attuned resources to better collaborate on interventions, prevention programs, and policy. "Social Change and Psychosocial Adaptation in the Pacific Islands" rises to this complex challenge The Pacific Island oceanic and rim nations include many traditional societies and emerging nations that have experienced abusive histories of colonization, exploitation, and social change and upheaval. Their peoples are struggling to restore traditional cultural heritages and identities in a world community dominated by Western values and lifestyles. The conflicts, uncertainties, and instability of this transitional time are reflected in these populations current social and psychological difficulties. This volume is one of the few devoted to these issues and covering a range of problems including substance abuse, hopelessness, violence, crime, abuse, juvenile delinquency, suicide, and AIDS.