Identifying Individual and Contextual Barriers to Seeking Mental Health Services Among Korean American Immigrant Women

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore perceptions about barriers to Korean American immigrant women's seeking mental health services. Four focus groups were conducted with 27 Korean American participants, including two groups of providers and two groups of community women. Discussions were recorded and transcribed to identify and code themes. Barriers included language problems, cultural differences, lack of time, financial limitations, lack of transportation, lack of knowledge, lack of funding for community agencies, lack of partnership with churches, and perceived stigma. Recommendations include ethnically and linguistically matched mental health services, community outreach services, training for providers, and community education.