Help-seeking Behaviors: Abstract

Help-Seeking Behaviors

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THE HELP-SEEKING BEHAVIORS OF CHINESE-AMERICAN FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Chun-Po Chuang San Francisco, California 2009 Abstract This study explores and categorizes factors that influence help-seeking behaviors among Chinese-American families who have children with special needs in the San Francisco Bay Area. In-depth interviews were conducted with seven first-generation Chinese immigrant parents who have children under six-years of age. Using the constantcomparative method, nine significant considerations were revealed to have contributed to help-seeking behaviors – “Family finances,” “Accessible information,” “Time asset,” “Specific knowledge,” “Communication,” “Credibility,” “Marital relationship,” “Social support,” and “Saving face.” Two types of help-seeking behavioral trends were discovered as well – the individual approach and the relational approach. This study hopes to encourage in a partnership approach to assisting children with special needs as Chinese-American parents continue to seek help for their children with special needs.