Clinical problems that initiate professional help-seeking behaviors from Asian Americans

What are the types of clinical problems that motivate Asian Americans to overcome cultural and institutional barriers and decide to seek professional help? This study found there were both similarities and differences in the clinical problems that were reported to encourage 7 Asian American groups to seek out a mental health provider. Specific reasons for these ethnic differences in problem reporting were attributed to possible differences in level of acculturation or familiarity with Western concepts of mental illness, cultural scripts about mental health issues, and baseline epidemiological rates. Both clinicians and researchers may benefit from further examination of the cultural influence on problem reporting to improve their general understanding of the help-seeking behaviors and service needs of Asian American groups.