Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Volume 74, Issue 6, 2006, Pages 1116-1120

Barriers to mental health care utilization for U.S. Cambodian refugees (Article)

Wong E.C.* , Marshall G.N. , Schell T.L. , Elliott M.N. , Hambarsoomians K. , Chun C.-A. , Berthold S.M.
  • a RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States, RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138, United States
  • b RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States
  • c RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States
  • d RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States
  • e RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States
  • f Department of Psychology, California State University, Long Beach, CA, United States
  • g RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States

Abstract

Asian Americans encounter barriers to mental health care, some of which are structural, whereas others may be cultural. Using data from a probability sample (N = 490) drawn from the largest Cambodian refugee community in the United States, the authors assessed the extent to which structural and cultural barriers were experienced. Surprisingly, a relatively small proportion endorsed commonly cited cultural barriers such as distrust of Western care (4%) and greater confidence in alternative care (5%), whereas most endorsed structural barriers such as high cost (80%) and language (66%). Among those with a probable diagnosis, a similar pattern was found. Findings suggest that structural, not culturally based, barriers are the most critical obstacles to care in this U.S. Cambodian refugee community. © 2006 APA, all rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Barriers Mental health Asian Americans Treatment Cambodian refugees

Index Keywords

patient care refugee demography Cambodia human Refugees middle aged probability Aged alcoholism language Mental Health Services mental health care Mental Disorders Health Care Costs Humans California Asian Americans male female cultural factor Article health care utilization adult health care access posttraumatic stress disorder Utilization Review sample size Cultural Characteristics major depression Health Services Accessibility Culture Complementary Therapies
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33845616360&doi=10.1037%2f0022-006X.74.6.1116&partnerID=40&md5=3e71b3af837d040f200f9bd3db3477b2
DOI: 10.1037/0022-006X.74.6.1116
ISSN: 0022006X
Cited by: 53
Original Language: English