Help Seeking Behavior in a Diverse Sample of Asian American Adults

Peter Nguyen; Rosalie Corona; Matthew Peter DeCarlo; Anna Yaros; Anh Thuy Le; Kimberly Compton

doi:10.29333/ejecs/124

Authors

Peter Nguyen School of Social Work, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC
Rosalie Corona Virginia Commonwealth University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6652-9092
Matthew Peter DeCarlo
Anna Yaros RTI International, Durham, NC
Anh Thuy Le Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Psychology
Kimberly Compton Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Social Work

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/124

Keywords:

help-seeking, Asian American

Abstract

We sought to characterize the help-seeking behavior of Asian Americans living in a Southeastern community in the U.S. by examining different types of services sought, help-seeking preferences, and how demographic characteristics and mental health problems (including domestic violence) predicted these behaviors. 610 Asian Americans (mean age = 39.43 years; 59.6% female; 75% immigrants) completed an anonymous, community survey that included measures of different types of help-seeking behaviors and preferences, mental health symptoms, and exposure to domestic violence. The two most-frequently help-seeking behaviors included seeking advice from friends, family members, or relatives (66.7%), and visiting a medical doctor (46.4%). In logistic regression models, older age, sex, immigrant status and symptomatic depression predicted different types of help-seeking behaviors and preferences. Neither domestic violence experience or symptomatic anxiety significantly predicted help-seeking.

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Author Biography

Rosalie Corona, Virginia Commonwealth University

Professor
Director of Clinical Training
Director Latina/o Mental Health Clinic

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