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Correlates of Mental Health Service Use and Type Among Asian Americans

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Abstract

This study uses data from the National Latino and Asian American Study to investigate correlates of mental health service use among Asian Americans with mental health needs. Our study contributes to the extant literature by: (1) differentiating between mental health service use types; and (2) examining a broader swatch of Asian Americans with mental health needs, ranging from mild to severe cases. Multinomial logistic regression analyses revealed heterogeneity in service use patterns by ethnicity, age, marital status, English proficiency, and generation status. Unmet mental health needs continue to be a problem despite treatments that could improve the quality of life of Asian Americans. Our study provides a more nuanced understanding of mental health service utilization patterns in this understudied population.

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Acknowledgments

The National Latino and Asian American Study is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH U01 MH62209 and U01 MH62207) with additional support from the Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Work, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MS 1F8, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA

    Emily S. Ihara

  2. Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    David H. Chae

  3. Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Janet R. Cummings

  4. School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA

    Sunmin Lee

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  1. Emily S. Ihara
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  2. David H. Chae
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  4. Sunmin Lee
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Correspondence to Emily S. Ihara.

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Ihara, E.S., Chae, D.H., Cummings, J.R. et al. Correlates of Mental Health Service Use and Type Among Asian Americans. Adm Policy Ment Health 41, 543–551 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0493-5

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