Factors Associated with Mental Health Service Utilization Among Korean-American Immigrants

Bernstein, Kunsook S.

Purpose: This study examines factors that contribute to the actual use of mental health services among KA immigrants and the role of self-perceived need in mediating the relationship between depressive symptoms and mental health utilization. It incorporates Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Care Service Use as a theoretical framework to explore factors related to this populations’ utilization of mental health care.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used to gather data on 363 KA immigrants 18 years and older residing in New York City. Andersen’s model suggested three factors that affect health behavior: (1) predisposing factors, including demographics, social characteristics, and individual beliefs, (2) need factors, such as an individual’s selfperceived need for treatment and a practitioner’s evaluation of a disease, and (3) enabling factors, such as personal resources that facilitate or are a barrier to access.

Results: 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. 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.

Conclusion: Failure to perceive a need for psychological help continues to be a barrier to mental health service utilization in this population. Underutilization of mental health services will continue to be a problem as long as KA immigrants experiencing depressive symptoms do not perceive a need for help. To better address the psychological needs of KA immigrants, we need to supplement early screening efforts with public health education for this population on depression and other mental health concerns, as well as on the availability of effective mental health services for treatment.