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. 2023 Jul;50(4):630-643.
doi: 10.1007/s10488-023-01266-x. Epub 2023 Mar 29.

Predicting the Behavioral Health Needs of Asian Americans in Public Mental Health Treatment: A Classification Tree Approach

Saahoon Hong  1   2 , Betty Walton  3   4 , Hea-Won Kim  3 , Taeho Greg Rhee  5   6
Affiliations

Predicting the Behavioral Health Needs of Asian Americans in Public Mental Health Treatment: A Classification Tree Approach

Saahoon Hong et al. Adm Policy Ment Health. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Given the fact that experiencing pandemic-related hardship and racial discrimination worsen Asian Americans' mental health, this study aimed to identify unique characteristics of behavioral health needs among Asian Americans (N = 544) compared to White Americans (N = 78,704) and Black Americans (N = 11,252) who received publicly funded behavioral health services in Indiana before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used 2019-2020 Adults Needs and Strengths Assessment (ANSA) data for adults eligible for Medicaid or funding from the state behavioral health agency. Chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID) was used to detect race-specific differences among demographic variables, the pandemic status, and ANSA items. Results indicated that, regardless of age, gender, or pandemic status, Asian Americans who received behavioral health services, struggled more with cultural-related factors compared to White and Black individuals. Within this context, intersections among behavioral/emotional needs (psychosis), life functioning needs (involvement in recovery, residential stability, decision making, medical/physical health), and strengths (job history, interpersonal, and spiritual) further differentiated the mental health functioning of Asian from White and Black Americans. Classification tree algorithms offer a promising approach to detecting complex behavioral health challenges and strengths of populations based on race, ethnicity, or other characteristics.

Keywords: Asian Americans; Behavioral health needs; Classification tree model; Culture-related factors; Strengths.

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Conflict of interest statement

Each author completed the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest, and none were reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
CHAID decision tree depicting Asian Americans (1) rates compared to non-Hispanic White Americans (0)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
CHAID decision tree depicting Asian Americans (1) rates compared to non-Hispanic Black Americans (0)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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