To Seek Help or Not: Asian American Women Mental Health Services Utilization for Disordered Eating and Body Image Concerns

Abstract

Eating disorders are a significant public health issue because of their potentially devastating medical and psychological consequences. Asian Americans tend not to utilize mental health services; thus, this qualitative study explored the factors contributing to Asian American women’s decisions to seek professional help for their disordered eating or body image concerns. We utilized grounded theory to allow meaning to emerge from the raw data and the Consensual Qualitative Research-Modified method for triangulation and trustworthiness with a team consensus approach. One hundred forty-three Asian American women aged 18–39 years with disordered eating or body image concerns responded to two open-ended questions in an online survey about their decisions to seek (or not seek) mental health services. Results revealed personal-, social-, structural-level barriers and two multilevel barriers—disordered eating literacy and stigma. Factors that facilitated mental health services utilization included family and social support, free counseling, and knowledge of adverse health impacts. Participants also engaged in alternative methods to manage their concerns, most notably trying to solve or manage the issues on their own. We conclude by discussing clinical implications.