title: Effect of discrimination on mental health service utilization among Chinese Americans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the association between discrimination and mental health service use among a representative sample of Chinese Americans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our data were derived from the 2-wave Chinese American Psychiatric Epidemiological Survey, a strata-cluster survey conducted in 1993 and 1994 in a western American city.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Language-based discrimination was associated with higher levels of use of informal services and seeking help from friends and relatives for emotional problems. Negative attitudes toward professional mental health services were associated with greater use of informal services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that language-based discrimination influences patterns of mental health service use among Chinese Americans. Implications for service providers and policymakers are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106, USA. spencerm@umich.edu
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011287:Prejudice; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors