Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
- No study has addressed the rates of mental disorders for Pacific Islander American ethnic groups, and very few studies have been done on Hmong and Filipino ethnic groups.
- When symptom scales are used, Asian Americans show an elevated level of depressive symptoms compared to white Americans, but these studies focus primarily on Chinese Americans, Japanese Americans and Southeast Asians. Additionally, relatively few studies have been conducted in the subjects' native language.
- Asian Americans have lower rates of some disorders than white Americans, but higher rates of neuresthenia. Those who are less Westernized exhibit culture-bound syndromes more frequently.
- Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have the lowest rates of utilization of mental health services of any ethnic population. This is attributed to cultural stigmas and financial shortcomings. Overall poverty rates for AA/PIs are much higher than the national average.
- Ethnic matching of AA/PI therapists and patients results in greater utilization of mental health care services.
