DOI: 10.3886/icpsr38414.v1
title: Barriers to Psychological Help Seeking in Asian American Youth: A Qualitative Exploration in Schools, New York, 2015-2016
title: Version 1

description: In contrast to the model-minority myth, which conceptualizes Asian American youth as more educationally successful, respectful of teachers, hardworking, and cooperative that other ethnic minority youth (Chang and Sue, 2003), research has demonstrated that Asian American youth are at an increased risk for depression and suicide than their White or Black counterparts (Sen, 2004). Specifically, Asian American females aged 15-24 have the highest rate of completed suicides (14.1%) compared to other racial and ethnic groups (e.g., White 9.3%, Black 3.3%, and Hispanic 7.4%). Asian males of the same age group have the second highest rate of suicide deaths (12.7%) compared to other racial/ethnic group males (e.g., White 17.5%, Black 6.7%, and Hispanic 10%) (CDC 2008). In addition to these specific mental health problems, these youth face additional culturally-specific concerns, including racial discrimination (Lee et al., 2009). Despite such needs, Asian Americans underutilize traditional mental health services (Abe-Kim et al., 2007). Compared to youth (aged 18 or younger) from other racial or ethnic groups, Asian American youth are less likely than White, Black, or Hispanic children to actually receive mental health care (Ku and Matani, 2000). Additionally, research has demonstrated that Asian American youth also tend to underutilize mental health services in school settings (Amaral, Geierstanger, Soleimanpour, and Brindis, 2011; Anyon, Ong, and Whitaker, 2014; Walker, Kerns, Lyon, Bruns, and Cosgrove, 2010), despite the delivery of mental health services in schools seemingly overcoming certain structural barriers to seeking and obtaining mental health services, including transportation, insurance coverage, and cost (Cauce et al., 2002). Using exploratory focus groups, this qualitative study sought to explore perceptions of barriers to seeking school-based mental health services among first- and second-generation Asian youth of immigrant origin (33 participants in 7 focus groups). The specific research questions were: What are the sources of stress that may contribute to mental health concerns among Asian and Asian American youth, and what are their perceptions of barriers to mental health service use?
description: The purpose of the study was to explore Asian adolescents' sources of stress that contribute to mental health concerns and perceived barriers in seeking and using school-based mental health services. This exploratory qualitative study was part of a larger community-based research partnership effort to address the mental health needs of Asian youth of immigrant origin. The focus on barriers to engaging in school-based mental health services came about based on needs assessment results from stakeholders across partner sites.
description: Seven focus group sessions were held across two sites during or after school. Focus groups ranged in size from 4 to 6 participants and lasted between 40 and 70 minutes each. Participants were grouped by grade level and gender to facilitate sharing. Prior to the start of the focus group, participants completed a demographic survey. The semi-structured interviews were conducted in either English or Mandarin depending on participant language needs. Groups were facilitated by members of the research team, with a Mandarin or Korean translator available in the English groups when needed. Participants were given a $20 gift card upon completion of the interview. Interviews were audio-recorded. Sessions held in Mandarin were transcribed in Mandarin and then translated into English by bilingual research staff. Text data were analyzed in NVivo in a manner consistent with a grounded theory framework. Three research team members individually coded the 7 transcripts in phases of open and focused coding, then met to gain consensus for theoretical coding. An initial codebook draft was tested with two transcripts for inter-rater reliability, then finalized.
description: Participants were asked to discuss the following themes: Defining the terms Asian and mental health Extent to which mental health is a concern in Asian communities Potential mental health stressors Help-seeking behaviors for mental health issues, particularly barriers Perceptions of mental health services offered through schools Suggestions for improving mental health services for Asian youth The demographic survey included items on gender, age, grade level, ethnicity, country of birth, and languages spoken.
description: Response Rates: The research team aimed to recruit 40 participants; the final sample size was 33.
description: Selected schools had a high population of Asian and Asian American youth in the larger New York metropolitan area, based on the Department of Education's published demographic data. These schools were approached regarding being part of the study, and a detailed letter of invitation to conduct research was sent to each principal. Participants were recruited by the research team through visits to partner sites. Researchers presented with information about the study and distributed consent forms in the students' preferred language (English, Mandarin, or Korean). In some cases, presentations to parents were also offered. Participants who assented and obtained parental consent were eligible for the focus groups. The final sample consisted of first- and second-generation Asian immigrant students in grades 9 through 12 (average age = 16.64 years; 57.6% male). Participants were predominantly Chinese, though others identified as Bangladeshi, Burmese, Indian, Korean, Malaysian, Pakistani, and Taiwanese.
description: Datasets: DS0: Study-Level Files DS1: Focus Group Interviews DS2: Focus Group Supplemental Notes
description: Youth who self-identified as first- or second-generation Asian immigrants who attended high school within the study area.
description: face-to-face interviewThis study is part of the Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) Qualitative Data Sharing (QDS) project.ICPSR has zipped the 7 focus group interview transcripts and 11 supplemental note files into two qualitative data packages. These packages are available for restricted download. Please refer to the ICPSR README documentation for more information.