Addressing Mental Health Disparities With Asian American Clients: Examining the Generalizability of the Common Factors Model

Abstract

Although mental health disparities for Asian Americans are known, reasons for the disparities are not well understood within the counseling process. This study coded Asian American and White clients' reports of helpful counselor actions into empirically supported common factors to determine which within‐session processes might reduce mental health disparities for Asian American clients. Asian American clients' reports of helpful therapist actions did not differ from those of White clients, suggesting that disparities do not originate in differences in the foundational aspects of counseling. Implications for addressing disparities are discussed.

A dyadic study of multicultural counseling competence.

“…However, of note, clients' perceptions of their therapists' MCC were positively related to well-being compared with other clients treated by the same counselor (i.e., a within-therapist effect). and others (e.g., Constantine, 2002Constantine, , 2007Dewell & Owen, 2015;Fuertes & Brobst, 2002;Li & Kim, 2004; have made valuable contributions to the relative lack of MCC process and outcome research in real counseling settings. Yet many studies are methodologically limited by examining only client or therapist reports.…”

“…The second Owen, Leach et al (2011) hypothesis posits that specific client and/or counseling process factors prompt culturally relevant responses from counselors. These factors may vary from client to client depending on explicit issues raised by a client during description of presenting concern or during course of counseling process (Dewell & Owen, 2015; Lee & Tracey, 2008). Findings supporting this hypothesis include a large survey of licensed psychologists who reported that their ability to address MCC issues was dependent upon the relevance of culture to the clients’ presentation or in reaction to clients’ statements during the process of therapy (Maxie, Arnold, & Stephenson, 2006).…”

“…Owen, Leach et al (2011) and others (e.g., Constantine, 2002, 2007; Dewell & Owen, 2015; Fuertes & Brobst, 2002; Li & Kim, 2004; Owen, Tao et al, 2011) have made valuable contributions to the relative lack of MCC process and outcome research in real counseling settings. Yet many studies are methodologically limited by examining only client or therapist reports.…”