Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2025

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
Immigration-Related Factors and Depression Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Older Chinese Americans
Dexia Kong1, Man Guo2, Melissa Simon3
1Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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.
Related Concept Videos
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Depression: Overview
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture

