The Social Relationships of Asian Americans through a Cultural Lens: Relationships as Outcomes and Contexts.

Abstract

Research often emphasizes the importance of social relationships in the lives of Asian Americans yet few studies have examined their social networks. Much of the existing literature is limited by studying Asian Americans as a homogenous group with a focus on family. Asian Americans are least likely to use mental health services and are thought to rely on their social network for support. Recently, there have been important changes in the dynamics and reliance on family members partially caused by social and economic changes as well as geographic mobility. This dissertation examines the question of social relations and help seeking behavior among Asian Americans with three studies. This dissertation used data from the Asian American subsample (n=1628) of the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS) and focused on participants who identified as Chinese (n=600), Filipino (n=508), or Vietnamese (n=520). Ages ranged from 18 to 95 years old (M=41.51, SE=.63) with 47.5% men and 52.5% women. In the first study, variations in relationship quality with spouse, relatives, and friend by cultural and demographic factors were explored. Results indicate that not all relationships are high in positive relationship quality. Relationship quality varied by cultural and demographic factors. Results also suggest that there are similarities in patterns of relationship quality with the general US population and other ethnic minorities. The second study examined relationship profiles of married and unmarried Asian Americans. Findings suggest that Asian Americans have different types of relationship quality profiles including a profile in high in positive quality and one low in positive quality. Profile membership varied by cultural and demographic factors. The high positive quality profile was associated with better mental health. The third study addressed the implications of social relationships by exploring their association with using mental health related services. Results indicate that social relationships may facilitate help seeking behavior and are only used as an alternative to mental health related services for certain groups. Positive relationship quality with relatives and friends was associated with help seeking behavior. This varied by cultural and demographic factors. Receiving encouragement to seek help was not related to help seeking behavior.