Psychotherapy Utilization and Presenting Concerns Among Polynesian American College Students

Abstract

This study examined psychotherapy utilization, presenting concerns, reported distress levels, and psychotherapy outcomes among Polynesian American students presenting for services at a counseling center at a large intermountain university on the mainland U.S. We collected data at intake, during therapy sessions, and at termination for 415 Polynesian American students over a 17-year period. Polynesian American students were equally likely to utilize counseling services as European American students but were more likely to drop out earlier. At intake these students shared higher numbers of presenting concerns and greater levels of selfreported emotional and psychological distress than did European American students. Implications for counseling center programs and services are discussed.

Racial discrimination and psychological health among Polynesians in the U.S.

“…Recent research also provides convincing implications for a link between racial discrimination and psychological well-being in Polynesians. For example, a 17-year longitudinal study indicated that racial discrimination was a significant presenting concern for Polynesian college students in the United States (Allen, Cox, et al, 2016). In a study conducted among Native Hawaiians, racial discrimination was shown to be a significant stress inducer that may affect Native Hawaiians’ physical health due to cortisol dysregulation (Kaholokula et al, 2012).…”

Sticking with it: Psychotherapy outcomes for adults with autism spectrum disorder in a university counseling center setting

“…High scores indicate more distress, and scores decrease as clients improve. Typically, scores above 63 represent clear clinical concern [Allen et al, ]. The standard deviation for this measure is 15 points, and 14‐point increases or decreases are considered reliable change [reliable deterioration or improvement; Lambert et al, ].…”

Emerging adulthood attributes, discrimination, mental health, and substance use in a sample of Asian, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and White college students.

“…Racial/Ethnic Discrimination, NHOPIs, and Substance Use Racial/ethnic discrimination has been associated with negative health outcomes among racial/ethnic minorities in the United States (Assari & Caldwell, 2018;Pascoe & Smart Richman, 2009). Heightened experiences of ethnic discrimination have been noted as a salient risk factor for increased substance use and mental health concerns in ethnic minority populations, especially among adolescents and emerging adults (Allen et al, 2016;Helm et al, 2020;Unger et al, 2016;Zapolski et al, 2019). While discrimination has been less studied among NHOPIs relative to other minority populations in the United States, evidence suggesting the link between ethnic discrimination and substance use in adolescents and emerging adults within this population is burgeoning.…”