| Utilization of mental health services by Asian Americans is low (Sue, Cheng, Saad, & Chu, 2012). Cultural attitudes and beliefs of Punjabis have been found to contribute to low utilization of mental health treatments. Culture molds people's values, attitudes, and beliefs that can influence their perception of self and others, determining the way they experience their environment (Herrick & Brown, 1998). Underutilization is due in part to societal stigma against mental health problems, which have an "undesirable" and "damaging" reputation in the Punjabi community. Many South Asians internalize negative attitudes towards people with mental health problems and feel embarrassed or ashamed, causing concealment of symptoms and failure to seek treatment (Sussman, Robins, & Earls, 1987). This qualitative research study examined Punjabi sociocultural factors affecting preexisting attitudes towards mental health problems, and how resistance factors contribute to underutilization of mental health services in the Punjabi population. The current study expands on existing research using a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 Punjabi participants and 3 mental health participants. Majority of Punjabi participants were born and raised in California with higher educational degrees. Participants shared perceptions of resistant factors and underutilization of mental health services.;Punjabi participants in this study described conflicting cultural values of traditional versus Western value systems. The mental health professional interview data supported this conclusion, that many Punjabi's are reluctant to discuss emotions and thoughts out of respect for other family members, and seemed to hold little value of self-awareness and self-reflection. The Punjabi participants and the mental health professional participants both noted the existence of the social stigma related to mental illness in the Punjabi culture. Both participant group responses highlighted the need for increased awareness and education through community outreach, availability of resources, and awareness of those resources. The findings of the study indicate more education is needed for the Punjabi community regarding mental health services and psychological disorders. This study attempted to bridge the gaps in research literature on resistant factors and preexisting attitudes toward utilizing mental health services in the Punjabi population in the United States. |
