Help Seeking and Problem Perception Among Asian Americans

The presenting concerns of counseling center clients (N = 3,050) were compared as they varied by ethnicity (Asian Americans vs. whites), gender, and previous counseling experience. Asian-American clients were much more likely to perceive themselves as having educational/vocational concerns, whereas white clients were disproportionately more likely to admit to personal/emotional concerns. The comparison among seven different Asian-American groups revealed that Filipino-American and Asian-American-white mix clients were more likely to endorse personal or emotional concerns than other Asian-American groups. Gender and previous counseling experience were found to be related to the presenting concern, but the effects were the same in each ethnic comparison. The results are interpreted with respect to what counselors should be aware of in interacting with Asian-American clients as well as how they differ both from white clients and among themselves.