title: Stressors and barriers to using mental health services among diverse groups of first-generation immigrants to the United States.
abstract: This study examined stressors and barriers to using mental health services among first-generation immigrants in San Jose, California. Focus groups for 30 immigrants from Cambodia, Eastern Europe, Iran, Iraq, Africa, and Vietnam were audio-recorded, translated and transcribed. Two researchers coded the data and identified themes pertaining to mental health stressors and barriers. Six primary stressors were identified: economic, discrimination, acculturation due to language differences, enculturation, parenting differences, and finding suitable employment. Primary barriers included: stigma, lack of a perceived norm in country of origin for using mental health services, competing cultural practices, lack of information, language barriers, and cost. A conceptual model is presented that may be used to inform the design and implementation of mental health services for this population.
authors.affiliation: Center for Survivors of Torture, Asian Americans for Community Involvement, San Jose, CA 95128, USA. Fay.Saechao@aaci.org
authors.forename: Fay
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saechao
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharrock
authors.forename: Daryn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reicherter
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Livingston
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aylward
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whisnant
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Koopman
authors.forename: Sarita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kohli
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002140:California; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D044469:Racial Groups; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology*; D055815:Young Adult