Help-Seeking Behaviours for Mental Health in East Asian American Informal Caregivers of People Living With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

Aim(s): To explore mental health help-seeking behaviours among East Asian American dementia caregivers and construct a theory grounded in their behaviour patterns. Design: Qualitative using constructivist grounded theory design. Methods: We recruited 20 East Asian American dementia caregivers between August 2023 and March 2024 using purposive sampling. We conducted one-on-one interviews and analysed the data using constructivist grounded theory coding. Results: We constructed a theory including six concepts and 22 categories. While ‘providing care’, caregivers manage caregiving tasks and personal life, experiencing caregiving challenges. ‘Individual capacity’ is a key to perceiving caregiving situations and ‘considering seeking support’. Various factors can affect ‘using support’. Different types of support can be used separately or in combination. When receiving adequate support, caregivers can ‘gain benefits from support’. These benefits, alongside individual capacities, can shape caregivers' ‘outlook on the present and the future’. Conclusion: This study explains the mental health help-seeking process within East Asian culture, broadening perspectives on diverse populations and highlighting insights into culturally tailored services. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: This study offers clinicians and communities insights into the mental health help-seeking process among East Asian American dementia caregivers and highlights strategies to encourage their use of mental health services. Impact: This theory incorporates aspects of East Asian culture, addressing a research gap in studies of Asian Americans. It may enhance understanding of culturally tailored approaches and facilitate future funding for research and services, considering cultural diversity. Reporting Method: The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research. Patient or Public Contribution: No Patient or Public Contribution.

Duke Scholars

Author Bei Wu School of Nursing