Effects of generational status, ethnicity and DSM-IV disorders on providers' inquiries on Asian Americans' mental health: Findings from the National Latino and Asian American Study

Background. Previous research suggests that immigrants are less likely to use mental health services. Physician time restrictions often prevent inquiry about a patient's mental health. Studies investigating the roles of generational status, ethnicity and mental disorders on providers' inquiries about Asian Americans (AA) patients' mental health status are limited, and we investigate these effects here. Methods. We analyzed data from the National Latino and Asian American Study (n=1,853). Respondents were asked, “In the past 12 months, did a medical doctor ask you about your emotions, nerves, or mental health?” Results. Multivariate analyses suggest that AA with U.S.-born parents were significantly more likely than AA born outside the U.S. to report that their doctors inquired about their mental health (OR=2.21, 95% CI: 1.24, 3.96); no significant difference was found between AA born outside the U.S. and U.S.-born AA with non-U.S.-born parents. Any past year DSM-IV disorder increased the odds of AA reporting that their doctors inquired about their mental health status. This increase differed by ethnicity however, with Chinese less affected than Vietnamese (OR=0.17, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.59). Conclusion. Medical doctors are more likely to ask AA patients about their mental health if the patients have U.S.-born parents, but less likely if they are Chinese with any past year DSM-IV disorder - the reasons for these associations warrant further exploration. Positive mental health is integral to one's overall health and well-being. Inquiring about a patient's mental health should be a recommended practice for all medical doctors.