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The Impact of Perceived Need and Relational Factors on Mental Health Service Use Among Generations of Asian Americans

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Abstract

The present study examined generational differences in the patterns and predictors of formal and informal mental health service utilization among a nationally representative sample of 1850 Asian Americans from the National Latino and Asian American Study. We focused on the effects of perceived need and relational factors on service utilization among 1st-, 1.5-, and 2nd-generation Asian Americans. Results of hierarchical logistic regression showed significant intergenerational differences. Specifically, 1.5-generation Asian Americans exhibited distinctive pattern of service use, with perceived need being associated with a higher likelihood of using formal mental health services, but only for those with high level of social support. First- and second-generation Asian Americans, on the other hand, perceived need was independently associated with formal service use, and a significant predictor of informal service use for first generation. Greater family conflict was also associated with greater use of formal and informal services for both first- and second generations. However, family cohesion was associated with only informal service use among first -generation Asian Americans. Implications for mental health service policy were discussed.

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Acknowledgements

Literature review, data analysis, and manuscript preparation conducted by the first author, Dr. Lee (postdoctoral associate) and the investigative team were supported by the Faculty Research Funds (PI: Ma), Center for Asian Health, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Center for Asian Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Minsun Lee, Lin Zhu & Grace X. Ma

  2. Research in Social, Economic and Environmental Equity, School of Social Work, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA

    David Takeuchi

  3. School of Social Policy & Practice, Center for Mental Health & Aging, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Zvi Gellis

  4. Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Philip Kendall

  5. Department of Sociology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Lin Zhu & Shanyang Zhao

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  1. Minsun Lee
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Correspondence to Grace X. Ma.

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Lee, M., Takeuchi, D., Gellis, Z. et al. The Impact of Perceived Need and Relational Factors on Mental Health Service Use Among Generations of Asian Americans. J Community Health 42, 688–700 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-016-0305-4

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