[Help-seeking behaviour of Chinese individuals in Western mental health care: A systematic review].

Abstract

Background: Chinese migrants in the Netherlands have a higher prevalence of psychological complaints and on average report lower levels of happiness compared to the native Dutch. Meanwhile, they utilise mental health services less often. Which factors play a role in this is not fully clear.

Aim: To provide an overview of the factors that influence help-seeking behaviour among the Chinese population concerning Western mental health services.

Method: We conducted a systematic literature review in Embase, MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE and PsycINFO, following the Prisma guidelines. We included original studies on factors that influence the help-seeking behaviour of immigrant Chinese individuals regarding Western mental health care.

Results: We included 14 studies, among which 10 quantitative, three qualitative, and one mixed-method study. These were univocal about several cultural, practical, and demographic factors that influence the help-seeking behaviour of Chinese with mental problems in Western countries, although especially the demographic factors we found showed substantial differences among studies.

Conclusion: The Chinese population in the Netherlands shows a number of common factors that delay access to Western mental health services, with often more severe symptoms compared to non-Chinese individuals. Given the identified practical factors, in addition to making mental health care more accessible, maintaining an open, individual and cultural sensitive approach remains of cardinal importance.