Effect of discrimination on mental health service utilization among Chinese Americans.
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.
Spencer
Michael S
MS
School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106, USA. spencerm@umich.edu
Chen
Juan
J
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