A Cross-Cultural Examination on Perceptions of Mental Illness and Treatment Between Hmong-American and European-American College Students
Author(s):
Vang, Cheng
Format:
Thesis
Degree granted:
Psy.D.
Publisher:
Ann Arbor : Alliant International University, 2017.
Pages:
99
Language:
English
Abstract:
People experiencing mental health distress have underutilized mental health treatment for a variety of reasons including having negative attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help (ATSPPH). In this study, we examined reasons why European-American (EA) and Hmong-American (HA) college students underutilize mental health treatment and if their levels of ATSPPH are influenced by mental health literacy, loss of face (LOF), perception of stigmatization by others for seeking psychological help (PSOSPH), and level of acculturation. Findings of the current study showed that EA and HA differed on levels of ATSPPH, mental health literacy, and the likelihood to refer people with psychiatric symptoms to professional mental health treatment. EA had more positive ATSPPH and were more likely to recommend mental health treatment for those in need compared to their HA counterparts. HA endorsed higher levels of LOF than EA. Furthermore, the relationship between ethnicity and ATSPPH was significantly mediated by mental health literacy. In other words, EA had higher levels of mental health literacy which lead to more positive ATSPPH. The implications of the present findings for clinical settings and future studies were discussed.