Predicting older East and Southeast Asian American help-seeking: A holistic approach using the theory of planned behavior

This study sought to better understand and predict East and Southeast (E/SE) Asian American older adult help-seeking given anti-Asian violence during the pandemic. The theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991) provided the theoretical framework for understanding predictors of help-seeking from friends and family, mental health professionals, and law enforcement. Based on an open-ended pilot study, we created a survey for a sample of 174 E/SE Asian Americans (aged 60+) from community service centers across Los Angeles County. Intention to seek help from mental health providers was lower than from friends and family or law enforcement. As hypothesized, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control predicted behavioral intention to seek help although the specific predictors varied by help-seeking source. Subjective norms predicted help-seeking from friends, family, and law enforcement with the referent groups contingent on the type of help. Perceived barriers to seeking help were largely due to perceived availability of others. Implications for improving social support and formal services for older E/SE Asian Americans are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract)