Aging and Mental Health
Volume 14, Issue 5, 2010, Pages 535-542

Factors associated with mental health service use in Latino and Asian immigrant elders (Article)

Kim G.* , Jang Y. , Chiriboga D.A. , Ma G.X. , Schonfeld L.
  • a Center for Mental Health and Aging, University of Alabama, Box 870315, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, United States, Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Box 870315, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, United States
  • b Department of Aging and Mental Health Disparities, University of South Florida, Tampa, United States
  • c Department of Aging and Mental Health Disparities, University of South Florida, Tampa, United States
  • d Department of Public Health, Center for Asian Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States
  • e Department of Aging and Mental Health Disparities, University of South Florida, Tampa, United States

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with the mental health service use of Latino and Asian immigrant elders. Adapting Andersen's behavioral health model of health service utilization, predisposing, enabling, and mental health need factors were considered as potential predictors for use of mental health services. Method: Data were drawn from a nationally representative dataset, the National Latino and Asian American Survey (NLAAS). Hierarchical logistic regression analyses of mental health service use were conducted for Latino (N = 290) and Asian (N = 211) immigrant elders. Results: For both groups of immigrant elders, poor self-rated mental health was associated with significantly greater mental health service use, even after controlling for all other variables. For Latinos, use of mental health services was significantly associated with both predisposing factors (being younger and female) and mental health need factors (having any mood disorders and poor self-rated mental health). Among Asians, only mental health need factors (having any mood disorders and poor self-rated mental health) significantly affected mental health service use. In addition, poor self-rated mental health mediated the association between mood disorders and mental health service use only in Latino immigrant elders. Conclusion: Results highlight an important role of self-rated mental health as a potential barrier in the use of mental health services, and suggest intervention strategies to enhance service use. © 2010 Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

Mental health service use Latino immigrants Self-rated mental health Asian

Index Keywords

mental health service health care survey Health Care Surveys psychological aspect human middle aged Aged Mental Health Services ethnology Hispanic Americans United States Humans Hispanic Asian Americans male Emigrants and Immigrants Asian American female Article migration Utilization Review patient attitude Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77954444480&doi=10.1080%2f13607860903311758&partnerID=40&md5=3b36291d0e5ffe2a0bfac063f9c99b8b
DOI: 10.1080/13607860903311758
ISSN: 13607863
Cited by: 36
Original Language: English