Chinese and Chinese American parents' intentions to seek psychological services for their children: The applicability of the Theory of Reasoned -Action

A review of the literature reveals a range of social and mental health issues experienced by the Asian population in the U.S. The literature also indicates mental health issues experienced by Chinese children as they strive to fulfill cultural expectations and assimilate into the mainstream American culture. Parents are typically referral agents for their children's mental health needs because children are not cognitively mature enough to make such decisions. However, due to cultural factors that may contribute to Asians' reticence for seeking mental health services, it is reasonable to believe some Chinese children may not be receiving mental health services they need. With an attempt to develop a model that would explain Chinese parents' help-seeking intentions for their children's mental health needs, the current study simultaneously tested the Theory of Reasoned-Action (TRA) and sociocultural/demographic variables (non-TRA variables). A community sample of Chinese parents was used. Hierarchical linear regressions and path analyses were conducted to test the study's hypotheses. Results of the regression analyses showed the TRA variables predicted variance in help-seeking intentions above and beyond the non-TRA variables. The addition of the non-TRA variables into the regression did not lead to a significant increase in the proportion of variance explained. The path analyses suggested a less-than-ideal fit of the TRA model to the data. Even though paths consistent with the TRA model were found, unexpected paths were also indicated. These unexpected paths were indicated between behavioral beliefs and subjective norms and between normative beliefs and attitudes. Limitations of the current study, suggestions for future research, and practical implications for working with Chinese parents are discussed.