Immigration-Related Factors and Depression Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Older Chinese Americans

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives Asian Americans have the lowest mental health service utilization rate among all racial/ethnic groups. This study investigates how immigration-related factors shape the depression help-seeking behaviors of older Chinese Americans. Methods Data were collected from participants who reported experiencing any depressive symptoms in the Population-based Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (n = 907). Multinomial logistic regressions were conducted to examine the associations between immigration-related factors and help-seeking behaviors, including not seeking help (23.5%), seeking help from informal source(s) only (40%), seeking help from both informal and formal sources (28.7%), and seeking help from formal source(s) only (8.8%). Results Older Chinese Americans with lower levels of acculturation (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.79–0.97) and those who lived in Chinatown (OR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.21–4.52) were more likely to seek help from formal sources only (relative to not seeking any help). Conclusions Older Chinese Americans with depressive symptoms predominately relied on informal sources of help, either solely or in combination with formal sources, to address their depressive symptoms. Clinical Implications Leveraging informal support networks and ethnicity-specific resources represents a promising approach for this population.