Objective: This systematic review aims to comprehensively analyze the different themes of barriers that contribute to the underutilization of mental health services among Asian Americans living in the United States. Design: Systematic literature review. Methods: Nine databases were used to collect peer-reviewed articles to analyze mental health service utilization among Asian Americans. Inclusion criteria: (a) peer-reviewed articles that were published between 2001 and 2021; (b) studies that recognized the different barriers to mental health utilization among Asian Americans living in the United States; and (c) articles must be written and published in the English language. Results: Three main themes were identified as the barriers to the utilization of mental health services among Asian Americans, namely: (1) Cultural stigma, (2) different values and beliefs in the community, and (3) lack of knowledge regarding mental health services. Conclusion: Most findings reveal that the Asian American community responds to mental health issues depending on individual cultural beliefs. Although mental health services usage among Asian Americans is slowly increasing, it is essential to continue educating about mental health awareness, seeking professional services, and changing cultural perceptions.

There have been significant advances in research on Asian American mental health within the past decade. This chapter discusses resources and strategies for conducting culturally responsive assessment and treatment with Asian Americans that highlight the theories and knowledge gained since the publication of the previous edition of this Handbook in 2000. The first section on assessment discusses race, immigration, and culture-related factors that affect the phenomenology of distress among Asian Americans. The second section on treatment discusses theories and evidence regarding factors that increase therapeutic credibility as well as the recent advances in applying evidence-based treatment with Asian Americans.

This dissertation reports three studies on mental health and service utilization among Asian Americans, using nationally representative data from National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS). The first study reported in Chapter 2 examines the prevalence and pattern of past year mental health-related service use, including specialty mental health services, general health services, human or alternative services, and any type of mental health-related services, among Asian Americans. Guided by Andersen's health behavioral model, this study explores influencing factors to Asian Americans' use and choice of mental health services. Findings from this study indicate that Asian Americans significantly underuse mental health services and that they tend to choose specialty mental health services and human or alternative services when seeking treatments. Marital status, age at immigration, and past year psychiatric disorder are found significantly correlated to Asian Americans' use of each and any type of mental health services. Second study reported in Chapter 3 investigates the influence of immigration and perceived social status on lifetime and 12-month psychiatric disorder occurrence among Asian immigrants. Results of the study suggest that Asian immigrants' age at immigration and perceived social status in the U.S. are significantly associated with lifetime and 12-month psychiatric disorder occurrence. Respondents who immigrate to the U.S. during childhood and those who report lower perceived social status in the U.S. are more likely to experience lifetime and 12-month psychiatric disorders. Chapter 4 reports a study on the impacts of family cohesion and family conflict to past year mental health-related service utilization among Asian Americans. Primary findings from the study suggest the critical role of family cohesion and family conflict in influencing Asian Americans' mental health service use. Specifically, family cohesion is found to have significant correlation to Asian Americans' receipt of general health services and any type of mental health-related services. Family conflict is found as a significant predictor to the use of each and any type of mental health-related services, except specialty mental health services. The final chapter, Chapter 5, concludes this dissertation by providing summary of findings, discussion of limitations, and implications pertinent to social work practice, policy, and research.

Asian American Mental Health is a state-of-the-art compendium of the conceptual issues, empirical literature, methodological approaches, and practice guidelines for conducting culturally informed assessments of Asian Americans, and for assessing provider cultural competency within individuals and systems. It is the first of its kind on Asian Americans. This volume draws upon the expertise of many of the leading experts in Asian American and multicultural mental health to provide a much needed resource for students and professionals in a wide range of disciplines including clinical psychology, medical anthropology, psychiatry, cross-cultural psychology, multicultural counseling, ethnic minority psychology, sociology, social work, counselor education, counseling psychology, and more.

It is well documented that Asian Americans exhibit the lowest utilization rates of mental health services compared to the general population. Despite the infrequent use of mental health services, the Asian American community demonstrates a need for such services. The majority of research on Asian Americans and mental health have primarily focused on identifying cultural factors associated with underuse, but limited research exists to explain how culture affects mental health and the ways in which culture influences the process of illness. This review examines culture's dynamic influence on the development, progression, and treatment of mental illness for Asian Americans and recommends strategies to improve outreach and delivery of services.