ISSN : 2233-6710(Print)
ISSN : 2384-2121(Online)
ISSN : 2384-2121(Online)
Journal of Asia Pacific Counseling Vol.10 No.1 pp.15-26
DOI : http://doi.org/10.18401/2020.10.1.2
DOI : http://doi.org/10.18401/2020.10.1.2
Asian American Values and Attitudes Towards Seeking Mental Health Services
Abstract
Using Stern et al.’s (1999) Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) Theory as a model of understanding, we examined 75 Asian American adults with an emphasis on internalized values and their attitudes towards seeking mental health services. The sample was primarily Indian and Chinese Americans with no significant differences found between groups. Enculturation and acculturation values emerged as full and partial mediating effects of attitudes towards seeking mental health services, respectively. The study’s results deepen the understanding and add to the limited research regarding Asian Americans’ attitudes towards seeking mental health services and additionally provide insight into where Asian American mental health stigmatization may stem from. Implications of the study’s findings are directed towards mental health practitioners, community centers, and other counseling centers to include more of a focus on Asian Americans’ internalized values when conducting research and attempting to provide community support.