Cultural Values Influence Mental-Health Help-Seeking in Asian and Latinx College Students

Abstract

Objectives: To understand the influence of cultural values on mental health attitudes and health-seeking behaviors among Asian and Latinx college students. Methods: Asian and Latinx college students (N = 159) from a large public university in Southern California completed a series of online surveys in which they reported their cultural values and attitudes towards mental health and help-seeking behavior. Factor analyses examined whether cultural values are shared between Asian and Latinx students, and logistic regressions investigated whether derived factors from the cultural value measures predicted perceived need for mental health services and help-seeking behaviors. Results: Two common factors of cultural values were evident for Asian and Latinx students: Interdependent Orientation (IO) and Cultural Obligation (CO). For both groups of students, the more they endorsed IO values, the less likely they were to perceive a need for mental health treatment. CO was not predictive of perceieved need or help-seeking behaviors. Conclusions: The current study revealed commonalities between Asian and Latinx cultural values. For both Asian and Latinx college students, adherence to family-oriented and cultural values diminished their help-seeking behaviors and attitudes toward mental health. Findings highlight the importance of utilizing culturally-sensitive approaches in treatment outreach for students.