Koh Eun, Choi Ga-Young, Choi Sam, Cho Ji-Young
associate professor, National Catholic School of Social Service, The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20064.
professor and bachelor program director, School of Social Work, California State University at Los Angeles.
Health Soc Work. 2021 Aug 5;46(3):199-209. doi: 10.1093/hsw/hlab009.
This article describes a study that investigated Korean immigrants' perception of mental well-being and help-seeking behaviors with particular focus on those with mental illness. Participants with probable diagnoses of anxiety or depression were more likely to recognize their mental health problems and their impact than those without such diagnoses. However, many of them did not acknowledge experiencing mental health problems and did not show high likelihood of seeking professional mental health services. The cultural beliefs and the lack of culturally competent mental health services appeared to contribute to the low levels of recognition of mental health problems and also the low rates of mental health service utilization. The participants listed mental health professionals' ability to communicate in the language of their preference, confidentiality, and affordability as significant factors in their decision to seek professional help. The study findings emphasize the great need of mental health educational programs within the Korean immigrant community. The findings also suggest that resources and infrastructures be secured for the provision of culturally competent mental health services for this population.
本文描述了一项研究，该研究调查了韩国移民对心理健康的认知以及寻求帮助的行为，特别关注患有精神疾病的人群。与没有此类诊断的参与者相比，可能被诊断为焦虑或抑郁的参与者更有可能认识到自己的心理健康问题及其影响。然而，他们中的许多人不承认经历过心理健康问题，也没有表现出寻求专业心理健康服务的高可能性。文化信仰以及缺乏具有文化能力的心理健康服务似乎导致了对心理健康问题的低认知水平以及心理健康服务利用率的低下。参与者将心理健康专业人员用他们偏好的语言进行沟通的能力、保密性和可承受性列为他们决定寻求专业帮助的重要因素。研究结果强调了韩国移民社区内心理健康教育项目的迫切需求。研究结果还表明，应为该人群提供具有文化能力的心理健康服务确保资源和基础设施。
