Approaching the “Resistant:” Exploring East Asian International Students’ Perceptions of Therapy and Help-Seeking Behavior Before and After They Arrived in the United States

Abstract

In this study we investigated cultural, familial, and individual beliefs that influenced international students' perceptions of therapy and help-seeking behaviors. Included were changes in perception or behavior before and after the students came to the US, and factors that influenced help-seeking behaviors. Six international students from East Asian countries where English is a foreign language, including Taiwan, Mainland China, Japan, and South Korea, were interviewed. We used semi-structured interviews and participant observations for collecting data. The findings indicated changes after students came to the US. Further discussions focus on encouraging and discouraging factors relative to seeing therapists, and culturally sensitive interventions for family therapy clinicians.

Understanding Asian International College Students’ Values and Beliefs, their Acculturative Stress and Coping Strategies

“…Research indicated that Asian international students suffer higher levels of depression and anxiety as compared to American students (Rice, Choi, Zhang, Morero& Anderson, 2012). According to Nan et al (2007), the percentage of Asian individuals with mental illnesses was as high as 13%;because, in general, the Asians lack understanding of mental health services.Their negative attitude toward seeking counseling and their help seeking behavior may have to do with their Asian values and worldviews (Chen & Lewis, 2011;Lee et al, 2014;Li et al, 2013;Nan et al, 2007). Asian worldviews may emphasize an individual as a relational being and the relatedness of one person to others (Li et al, 2013).…”

“…As such, Asian international students may be unwilling to share personal problems with others to avoid creating interpersonal conflicts or cause others to worry about them (Chen & Lewis, 2011). They may also have difficulties asking for support from others because they do not want to put a burden on their social networks.…”

“…They are obligated to be sensitive to others and put others' needs first. They may be waiting for their friends and family to sense their needs instead of expressing it aspeople do in individualistic culture (Chen & Lewis, 2011). Forbearance coping, a common Asian coping strategy, refers to minimizing or concealing problems in order to maintain social harmony (Wei, Liao, Hepper, Chao, & Ku, 2012).…”

“…This is associated with their belief about self-control and maturity. This cultural stigma associated with emotional expression and the emphasis of self-control discourage individuals from seeking psychological assistance because it can be viewed as a sign of immaturity and weakness (Chen & Lewis, 2011).…”

“…Although mental health and counseling services are free and accessible in most colleges, and most college counselors working with diverse populations are sensitive to multicultural issues, Asian international students do not seek services to the same extent as American students (Lee, Ditchman, Fong, Piper & Feigon, 2014).Even wheninternational students do seek mental health services, they have a tendency to terminate prematurely (Chen & Lewis, 2011;Nan, Yeung & Nguyen, 2007).…”