Help-Seeking Behaviors 1

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 constant-

comparative 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.