Stigma and Mental Health Treatment Utilization Among Black and Asian American Young Adults

Black and Asian American young adults underuse mental health services, yet little is known about how different forms of stigma influence help seeking among 18- to 29-year-olds in these communities.

A national sample of 2,801 emerging adults (ages 18-29), comprising Black (N=1,224) and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI; N=1,577) individuals, was recruited via Qualtrics Panels. Modified Poisson regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics were used to estimate associations of stigma with help-seeking outcomes.

Personal attitudes toward individuals receiving treatment were generally favorable, with ≥90% of the participants endorsing agreement of accepting a close friendship with someone who receives mental health treatment. However, moderate stigma persisted around dating. Perceived public stigma was increased, with most respondents overestimating how many people would likely reject individuals who receive mental health treatment. Among participants with depression, more than half were not receiving care. Personal stigma was positively associated with treatment use among Black respondents but negatively associated among AANHPI respondents, was linked to lower perceived need in both groups, and was associated with lower intention to continue treatment. Perceived public stigma was largely unrelated to treatment behaviors except for a positive association with perceived need among AANHPI respondents.

Personal stigma plays a nuanced role in treatment engagement among Black and AANHPI emerging adults, underscoring the importance of culturally targeted stigma reduction efforts.