Chinese American Attitudes toward Therapy: Effects of Gender, Shame, and Acculturation
Andrew S. Quach, Diane Harnek Hall

Abstract
Due to traditional cultural values, Chinese Americans generally possess negative attitudes regarding professional interventions for mental health illness, even though these services have been effective in alleviating psychological distress. Shame, acculturation, gender, and age have been identified as factors that may contribute to the pessimistic attitudes towards therapy, but no empirical research has been conducted on this specific Asian American sub-group. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between these four variables and therapeutic attitudes among 119 Chinese American college students in the United States. Regression analyses confirmed shame, gender, and age as predictive of therapeutic attitudes. Women, older individuals, and those with lower levels of shame were found to have more positive attitudes toward therapy. Results can assist clinicians and mental health professionals to tailor services and strategies that fit the needs of Chinese Americans and support the challenges their clients have regarding the therapeutic experience.

Full Text: PDF