Family Support For Asian American Mental Health: Research And Resources

According to UCLA Health, Asian Americans are approximately 50% less likely to seek mental health services than other racial groups. This reluctance may stem from the stigmatization of mental health in Asian American populations, where a diagnosis could affect how they are perceived by others, including their family. Given the wide range of ethnic groups with unique perspectives and experiences within the Asian American community, perceptions of mental health challenges can vary. Recognizing this diversity may be crucial for enhancing family support for Asian American mental health. By acknowledging the factors that may impact mental health and utilizing available resources, such as therapy, individuals and their families may find ways to fight stigmatization and receive more effective support. 

What factors can impact Asian American mental health? 

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), data from the National Latino and Asian American Study indicate that, although updated statistics may be needed, Asian Americans are thought to have a 17.3% overall lifetime rate of any psychiatric disorder despite being approximately three times less likely to seek mental health services than white Americans. 

Potential sources of stress

Several potential sources of stress may affect the mental health of Asian Americans: 

• Cultural taboos: Individuals in Asian American communities may avoid discussing mental health due to potential taboos within their culture. These taboos may lead Asian Americans to believe that struggling with mental health is a sign of weakness or a source of shame. As a result, these individuals may deny, dismiss, or neglect their symptoms, which could make it more difficult for their families to support them and for them to access mental health treatment. 
• Obligations to family: Cultural and traditional values in Asian American populations may emphasize the importance of strong family bonds and familial responsibility. This could lead to individuals sensing pressure to fulfill these obligations, even if that means ignoring their own mental health. This may lead to increased stress if they are unable to fulfill their duties. 
• Parental pressure: Asian Americans may be pressured by their parents to achieve an elevated level of academic success. This may lead to symptoms of anxiety or depression as a person becomes overwhelmed by the expectations placed on them by their parents. In addition, individuals may ignore the signs of a mental health condition in order to focus on school, which could further impact their well-being. 
• Discrimination: Asian Americans may also experience racial and cultural discrimination, which may have significant effects on their mental health. Discriminatory experiences can negatively impact an individual’s self-esteem and may lead to heightened stress or anxiety symptoms. Over time, these experiences may make it difficult to function in daily life.

While some Asian Americans may seek support from friends and family rather than mental health professionals, others may avoid addressing mental health conditions with family members. This avoidance may stem from a fear of being perceived as a burden to their family or facing stigma. These family influences, as well as cultural factors, may contribute to the mental health conditions and underutilization of services that can be common in Asian American populations. 

How can family and culture impact Asian mental health?

The impact of family structure and expectations

Researchers discussed the value of family structure and how the concept of the “family unit” is usually highly valued. This term typically describes a dynamic in which each person in a family has a defined role with their own set of expectations. 

Mental health conditions may disrupt a person’s ability to meet these expectations, possibly leading to personal and familial stress. Concerns about “letting down” the family or experiencing a fear of judgment can discourage individuals from seeking mental health services. As a result, an individual may decide not to seek help for their mental health condition to avoid what they perceive as “letting down” their family or due to a fear of their family being judged by others. 

Strategies for improving mental health outcomes

Researchers also indicated several strategies that may improve assessment or mental health outcomes:

• Negotiating treatments: Health professionals may choose to take a more flexible approach when discussing treatment options that consider cultural values, as this may make mental health services more accessible and acceptable. 
• Explanatory models: By using explanatory models, health professionals may better understand a patient’s view of their condition, which could help them provide more effective treatment. 
• Utilize family support: Engaging with a patient’s family may reduce stigma and improve treatment adherence, especially when the family understands the benefits of (and need for) treatment.

The role of cohesion and family support for Asian American mental health

Further research suggests that family cohesion may play a significant role in the mental health of Asian Americans. Researchers found that family cohesiveness was usually associated with lower rates of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), while negative family interactions typically increased the likelihood that a person could experience substance use disorder or major depressive disorder. 

In addition, family cohesion usually moderated the relationship between other factors (specifically discrimination) and GAD. Other studies may support the notion that a greater level of family support may be associated with a decreased likelihood of developing major depressive disorder or meeting the criteria for GAD. 

However, family support alone may not be sufficient to help individuals struggling with mental health challenges. In these cases, it can be helpful to utilize additional resources. 

Mental health resources for Asian Americans and their families 

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) recommends a variety of resources that may help Asian Americans and their families:

• AACAP resources, such as their anti-racism library, “screenside” chats concerning racism and the experiences of Asian Americans, procedures for psychiatric professionals to approach Asian American and Pacific Islander care, and the effects of COVID-19 on the Asian American community
• Resources for parents, such as articles concerning mental health impacts on Asian Americans, the relationship between microaggressions and their impact on the Asian American community, guides for parents of Asian American adolescents, and fact sheets on racism related to COVID-19
• Trauma resources, such as the American Counseling Association’s Vicarious Trauma Fact Sheet and Boston College’s Racial Trauma Toolkit
• Health support resources, such as the Asian Mental Health Collective, Asian Mental Health Project, and databases of South Asian therapist providers
• Support groups, such as the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, the Asian American Feminist Collective, and Facebook groups like the Asian American Mental Health Support Network and the Asian Americans with Republican Parents Support Group
• Resources related to violence against Asian Americans, such as those that can educate or encourage action, as well as links to different forms of bystander intervention training

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Further resources for Asian American mental health

Additional resources may be provided by the Asian American Psychology Association (AAPA). These may include the following publications and organizations:

• The official publication of the AAPA, the Asian American Journal of Psychology
• The AAPA’s official newsletter, the Asian American Psychologist
• An archive of AAPA publications known as the AAPA Digital History Project
• AAPA fact sheets detailing the mental health challenges facing Asian American and Pacific Islander populations
• The Annual AAPA Awards & Grants, which aim to celebrate and recognize the contributions made by members of the AAPA (including students and professionals) to the advancement of the AAPA’s mission
• AAPA Convention and annual reports

These and other resources may help individuals educate themselves about common mental health conditions, find support for themselves or family members, and connect with in-person therapists and counselors. 

How online therapy can offer support

However, in-person therapy may not be accessible to everyone. For example, those who do not have the time to contact therapists may find it difficult to schedule an appointment. Others may live in regions that lack sufficient mental health care providers, increasing wait times or requiring individuals to travel significant distances to attend therapy sessions. In these situations, it may be beneficial to try online therapy. 

Studies have shown that therapy delivered online can be as effective as in-person therapy. In a 2022 meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials, researchers compared the efficacy of online and face-to-face therapy for treating certain mental health conditions. Their review found no significant differences between these two approaches to therapy for various outcomes after treatment, such as working alliance, function, symptom severity, and overall improvement.