title: Factors associated with mental health service utilization among Korean American immigrants.
abstract: This study adapted Andersen's Health Belief Model to examine the predictors of mental health services utilization among Korean American (KA) immigrants. A cross-sectional survey was used to gather data on 363 KA immigrants 18 years and older residing in New York City. Predisposing factors included gender, age, marital status, education, length of stay in the US, and religion; the need factor was depression; and enabling factors included health insurance, English proficiency, income, and perceived need for help. Approximately 8.5 % of participants reported having utilized mental health services, while 23 % reported having depressive symptoms. Shorter duration of residence in the US, lower income, and the presence of perceived need for help were significantly related to use of mental health services. The perceived need for help mediated the relationship between depression and mental health service utilization. Failure to perceive the need for psychological help continues to be a major reason that KA immigrants do not use mental health services.
authors: Department of Social Welfare, College of Social Science, Kyonggi University, Suwon-si, South Korea.
authors: So Youn
authors: SY
authors: Park
authors: Sunhee
authors: S
authors: Cho
authors: Yeddi
authors: Y
authors: Park
authors: Kunsook S
authors: KS
authors: Bernstein
authors: Jinah K
authors: JK
authors: Shin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000208:ethnology; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult