English language proficiency and lifetime mental health service utilization in a national representative sample of Asian Americans in the USA

Abstract

The public health implications for behavioral health include the need to educate health-care providers working with Asian Americans regarding the benefits derived from seeking services and making interpreter services available in a culturally sensitive environment.

Mental Health Service Use Among Immigrants in the United States: A Systematic Review

“…Certain demographic correlates were more frequently associated with service use: age, gender, education level, marital status, and insurance status. Across all immigrant groups, those more likely to use services were women (39,43,50,52,63,80,81); those with higher education levels (35,43,82); and those who were divorced, widowed, or separated (40,82). In general, service use was positively associated with age (35,40,52,63,80,83), although one study found a negative association (48).…”

“…Having insurance was positively associated with service use in many studies (35,38,40,50,52). However, one study showed that private insurance had this effect, whereas public insurance did not (66), and another reported no relationship between insurance status and mental health service use (82). …”

“…Those with a psychiatric diagnosis, poor self-rated mental health, or former exposure to traumatic experiences were more likely than others to use services (35,38,39,43,52,66,81,82,84). Low self-rated health and mental health was also associated with greater use of care (63,82). In fact, perceived mental health need was commonly the most robust factor associated with service use (38,48,74,81,84).…”

“…Several studies showed that those with greater English proficiency were more likely to use services (40,58,80–82). For example, non-English speaking immigrants in one study had lower odds of receiving needed services; 51% of those who expressed a need and spoke only English received services, compared with 8% of those who needed care but did not speak English (85).…”

An Overview of Stressors Faced by Immigrants and Refugees: A Guide for Mental Health Practitioners

“…Altinkaya (1995) notes that the lack of accessible English classes, interpreters, or translated material has the potential to create an underclass of refugees. A study of 2095 Asian and Pacific Islander participants identified the patient's lack of English language proficiency and the shortage of providers who spoke the language of the minority patient as major barriers to receiving mental health services (Kang, et al, 2010). In addition, a shortage of appropriate interpreters, long waits for an interpreter, using untrained interpreters, and not paying attention to nonverbal communication have also been found as barriers to seeking mental health services on the part of the immigrants and refugees, as well as providing them with the appropriate quality of care (Bauer.…”