"I Don't Think I Can Say, I'm Proud to be Filipino.": An Integrative Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies on Colonial Mentality

Background: Pilipinx Americans (PA) make up the third largest sub-Asian American group, yet are disproportionately studied within the social sciences. Subsequently, very little is known about the bio-psycho-social-spiritual (BPSS) factors that may impact their well-being. Emerging literature suggests that PA are contending with a myriad of health disparities such as increased risk for hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Pilipinx scholars argue that over three centuries of Spanish and U.S. American colonization of the Philippines has had profound and lasting impacts on PA and Pilipinx. Pilipinx have internalized the effects of colonial violence resulting in the development and intergenerational transmission of colonial mentality (CM). Emerging research shows that CM is related to increased risk for depression, weaker ethnic identity, and less likelihood to seek out mental health help. The aim of this integrative review of qualitative research aims to build on our prior work and to identify the ways in which PAs manifest CM and the role CM plays in shaping the BPSS well-being of PA.

Methods: The data search included eleven databases for published studies and gray literature, as well as consultations with content experts. Three reviewers independently assessed eligibility for inclusion by screening titles and abstracts using a predetermined codebook. Information on sample size, participants’ gender and sexual orientation, method, aim, BPSS of well-being, manifestations of CM, and conclusion. Thematic analysis was used to identify emerging themes, patterns or relationships with manifestations of CM and BPSS well-being.

Results: The search strategy and selection criteria yielded 23 studies. Four major themes were identified: 1) negative affective and psychological states; 2) facilitation of assimilation; 3) family conflict; and 4) spirituality/religiosity’s effect on other domains. Theme #1 captures how feelings of shame with identifying with the Philippines, the Pilipinx culture, and/or as Pilipinx injures PAs’ collective self-esteem, and its adverse impact on BPSS well-being. Theme #2 describes PAs’ sense of indebtedness to U.S. American colonialism, in particular its establishment of a public education system for Pilipinx. Theme #3 illuminates how assimilation was often the root of family conflicts such as tensions around as navigating CM, assimilating to U.S. American culture, and upholding traditional Pilipinx cultural values and traditions. Theme #4 captures the stronghold that Catholicism (a tool of colonialism) has on Pilipinx. For example, queer PAs link internalized homophobia with religion.

Conclusions: The U.S. Surgeon General described internalized racism as a significant mechanism that links racial oppression to adverse psychological and physical effects among racial minorities. Colonial mentality is one form of internalized racism unique to PA. This integrative systematic review of qualitative research yielded a broad array of records from both the peer-reviewed published literature as well as the gray literature. Collectively, the included studies demonstrated that CM is prevalent among PAs. This study has implications for informing the development of culturally-responsive interventions which address CM’s adverse impact on PAs’ BPSS well-being.