Mental health stigma and professional help-seeking behaviors among Asian American and Asian international students

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relationship between stigma and mental health help-seeking among Asian American and Asian international college students. Participants: Asian American college students (401 men, 858 women) and Asian international college students (384 men, 428 women). Methods: Data from the 2018–2019 Healthy Minds Study were used to assess perceived stigma, personal stigma, and help-seeking behaviors of college students. Results: Personal stigma mediated the relationship between perceived stigma and professional help-seeking intentions. The relationship between perceived stigma and personal stigma differed by international status, such that the relationship between perceived stigma and personal stigma was stronger for Asian international students. The indirect effect between perceived stigma and professional help-seeking via personal stigma also differed by international status. Conclusions: These results suggest that, consistent with prior work, stigma impacts help-seeking among Asian college students and international student status affects the strength of the key relationship between perceived stigma and personal stigma.