The Hyphenated American - (International Contributions in Psychology) by John Papajohn (Hardcover)

About the Book

Papajohn provides a collection of detailed case histories used to explore the effect of culture change on the psychological functioning of white Americans who derive from different ethnic backgrounds. Both individual and marital conflicts are analyzed to highlight the impact of one's cultural heritage on adjustments to mainstream American society. This book is designed to provide therapists with important insights in treating hyphenated Americans, who are the grandchildren (third generation) of the original immigrants. It will also be of interest to laypersons since it is written in a clear and jargonless language.

The modes of thinking, feeling, and acting of the original immigrants are shown to persist over generations and to impact on their children's children. Kluckhohn's theory of variations in orientation is employed to examine the culture change that children and grandchildren of immigrants undergo in interfacing with American society. This is done in the context of intensive psychotherapy with individuals and couples who derive from different ethnic backgrounds. Three individual and three marital therapy cases are analyzed. A culturally enlightened conceptualization by the therapist is shown to enhance the treatment process and lead to a more effective therapeutic resolution.

Book Synopsis

Papajohn provides a collection of detailed case histories used to explore the effect of culture change on the psychological functioning of white Americans who derive from different ethnic backgrounds. Both individual and marital conflicts are analyzed to highlight the impact of one's cultural heritage on adjustments to mainstream American society. This book is designed to provide therapists with important insights in treating hyphenated Americans, who are the grandchildren (third generation) of the original immigrants. It will also be of interest to laypersons since it is written in a clear and jargonless language.

The modes of thinking, feeling, and acting of the original immigrants are shown to persist over generations and to impact on their children's children. Kluckhohn's theory of variations in orientation is employed to examine the culture change that children and grandchildren of immigrants undergo in interfacing with American society. This is done in the context of intensive psychotherapy with individuals and couples who derive from different ethnic backgrounds. Three individual and three marital therapy cases are analyzed. A culturally enlightened conceptualization by the therapist is shown to enhance the treatment process and lead to a more effective therapeutic resolution.

Review Quotes

"[Papajohn's] book should become a classic on the subject of cultural perspectives on psychotherapy. Clearly written, thoughtful, with fascinating case studies, Papajohn's book is the culmination of an entire career dedicated to understanding the role culture plays in our lives....This book should be required reading for all psychotherapists, since we are all working with immigrants and their descendants, no matter how far removed from the migration experience."-Monica McGoldrick Director, Family Institute of New Jersey

"Anyone who has grown up in an ethnic community or has been drawn into an ethnic culture through intermarriage will find the Hyphenated American an absorbing journey of self discovery....Whatever your national origin may be, you'll find The Hyphenated American speaks your language."-Nicholas Gage author of Eleni

"Papajohn's work is extremely interesting and, I think, will make a real contribution to a better understanding of social diversity in today's society. In particular, I think the book is particularly unique because it takes a broad-spectrum perspective to the understanding of diversity without being yoked to today's politically-correct cultural biases."-Philip G. Levendusky Associate Professor Harvard Medical School

?The language of the book is nontechnical and easily accessible.?-American Journal of Psychotherapy

"The language of the book is nontechnical and easily accessible."-American Journal of Psychotherapy

About the Author

JOHN C. PAPAJOHN is a senior attending psychologist at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA., and a lecturer in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School./e He is also the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Cyprus in Boston, Massachussetts.