2025 Theses Doctoral

Understanding Southeast Asian International Students’ Mental Health Perceptions, Challenges, and Help-seeking Behaviors During Their Studies in the United States

Dao, Lynn Nha

This seminal work filled a knowledge gap in the literature by exploring the mental health perceptions, knowledge, concerns, and experiences of Southeast Asian international students studying during a crucial period with a looming collegiate mental health crisis unfolding on U.S. college campuses.

This mixed-methods study identified the perceived threats to mental health; high stigma levels surrounding help-seeking behaviors (shaped by deeply rooted or traditional cultural and religious beliefs); significant acculturation challenges (language barrier, loss of cultural identity, culture shock, and guilt); structural and cultural barriers to seeking mental health; and alternative coping mechanisms preferred by Southeast Asian international students that resulted in low mental health uptake or avoidance. Rosenstock’s (1966) Health Belief Model and Berry’s (2005) acculturation theory were the theoretical frameworks used. A 50-item survey questionnaire was administered to a sample of 176 participants and 29 in-depth one-on-one interviews were conducted. For the treated quantitative data, Pearson Correlation Coefficients were calculated, and statistical tests such as one-way analysis variance and hierarchical linear regression models were conducted. Qualitative data were coded, and a thematic analysis was used to interpret overarching findings and draw conclusions.

Results help provide a roadmap for U.S. higher education institutions, mental health counselors, and health education professionals to better understand the specific mental health concerns and needs of Southeast Asian international students. Implications for practice include tailoring programs, initiatives, and resources to be more culturally responsive to the unique needs of the study population.