Verhulp et al. (2013). Understanding ethnic differences in mental health service use for adolescents internalizing problems: The role of emotional problem identification

Immigrant adolescents seem to be less likely to use mental health care. It is possible that problem identification is an explanation for differences in mental health service use between immigrant and non-immigrant populations.

It is possible that immigrant parents are less able to recognize mental health problems in their children than non-immigrant parents.

Dutch parents reported higher levels of mental health service use for their children’s internalizing problems than immigrant parents.

Differences in mental health service use between the three immigrant populations and native Dutch were mediated by ethnic differences in emotional problem identification. Immigrant adolescents identified fewer emotional problems.

Emotional problem identification is an important factor contributing to the mental health help-seeking process of adolescents. Differences in reported mental health use is mediated by emotional problem identification. Immigrant parents and adolescents identified fewer emotional problems than native Dutch parents and adolescents.

This may be due to ethnic differences in what is considered to be normal or abnormal. It may be possible that parents recognize the problem but do not label them as psychological.