Date of Conferral

2-24-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Lisa Scharff

Abstract

Filipino immigrants have low access to mental healthcare in their native country and a high rate of mental health disorders. The problem that was investigated in this concurrent triangulation mixed-methods study was a lack of understanding regarding how Filipino immigrants to California perceive mental health services. Acculturation theory was used to understand the lived experiences of eight Californian Filipino immigrants who had sought mental health services and seven who had not. All participants had lived in California for at least 10 years. Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis were employed for the qualitative component. An acculturation questionnaire was used to gather quantitative data, and descriptive analysis was used to examine the data and compare groups. The qualitative themes included that participants who had used mental health services were concerned about stigma associated with those services; however, they found mental healthcare easy to access and helpful. Participants who had not utilized mental health services described that same stigma as well as the perception that they were a waste of time and money; however, they noted their attitudes were changing with more time spent in their adopted country and exposure to media. Questionnaire scores and demographics indicated that mental health service users tended to be more acculturated than those who were not. Overall, the results revealed a need to address cultural stigma in Filipino migrants living in California. Mental health advocacy services may be able to use this information to help Filipino immigrants be more accepting of mental health services. The information gained can help create social change by informing strategies to help this fast-growing population access mental healthcare.

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