Predictors of help seeking for emotional distress among Chinese Americans: family matters.

Full Abstract

Using data from the Chinese American Psychiatric Epidemiological Study, the authors examined longitudinal predictors of help seeking for emotional distress in a community sample of 1,503 Chinese Americans. Specifically, they assessed the relative contribution of family relational variables (e.g., levels of family support and family conflict) in predicting help seeking for medical, mental health, and informal services. After traditional need, predisposing, and enabling factors were controlled for in hierarchical logistic regression analyses, family conflict predicted both mental health and medical service use, whereas family support was not predictive of help seeking. In addition to family conflict, mental health service use was predicted by negative life events, emotional distress, and insurance coverage. Implications of the findings for assessing and treating Asian American clients are explored.

Author information

Author/s: Abe-Kim, Jennifer (J); Takeuchi, David (D); Hwang, Wei-Chin (WC);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California 90045-2659, USA. jabekim(-atsign-)lmu.edu

Grants: 44331 (Agency:PHS HHS) ; 47460 (Agency:PHS HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Journal of consulting and clinical psychology (J Consult Clin Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Oct; vol 70 (issue 5) : pp 1186-90

Dates: Created 2002/10/04; Completed 2002/10/24; Revised 2009/11/11;

PMID: 12362969, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/11/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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