Southeast Asian Americans and Speech-Language Therapy: Attitudes, Awareness, and Experiences

Abstract

Despite a U.S. population of 24.8 million, Southeast Asian Americans (SEAAs) remain an underrepresented and understudied population with speech-language pathology. This study investigates SEAA awareness, attitudes, and experiences regarding the field to further understand systemic disparities affecting the population. This study utilized a Qualtrics survey to compare three primary cohorts: 38 SEAAs, 37 Whites, and 32 White undergraduate speech-language pathologist students. The instrument measured awareness via weighted scoring, attitudes using a modified Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help (ATSPPH) scale, and prior referrals through select-all questions. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation coefficient calculations, a Kruskal-Wallis test, and a Fisher’s Exact Test. No significant difference in attitudes was found across groups (p=.055), as all cohorts shared consistently positive attitudes. While SLP students demonstrated significantly higher awareness (p<.001), SEAA and White groups showed comparable baseline knowledge. Notably, a significant disparity in prior referrals (p=.042) was found, with the SEAA cohort reporting a disproportionately low referral rate compared to the White group. The parity in awareness and attitudes suggests that internal cultural beliefs do not drive SEAA underrepresentation in speech-language services; instead, the identified "referral gap" likely stems from external systemic factors.

Keywords: Southeast Asian-Americans, speech-language therapy, underrepresentation, culture, barriers, health disparities