title: Barriers to mental health care utilization for U.S. Cambodian refugees.
abstract: Asian Americans encounter barriers to mental health care, some of which are structural, whereas others may be cultural. Using data from a probability sample (N = 490) drawn from the largest Cambodian refugee community in the United States, the authors assessed the extent to which structural and cultural barriers were experienced. Surprisingly, a relatively small proportion endorsed commonly cited cultural barriers such as distrust of Western care (4%) and greater confidence in alternative care (5%), whereas most endorsed structural barriers such as high cost (80%) and language (66%). Among those with a probable diagnosis, a similar pattern was found. Findings suggest that structural, not culturally based, barriers are the most critical obstacles to care in this U.S. Cambodian refugee community.
authors.affiliation: RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138, USA. ewong@rand.org
authors.forename: Eunice C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Grant N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Terry L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Schell
authors.forename: Marc N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hambarsoomians
authors.forename: Chi-Ah
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: S Megan
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Berthold
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002140:California; D002160:Cambodia / Q000208:ethnology; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data