P3B302: Impact of CATCH on a Community Pediatrician's Journey to Advocate for Behavioral Health Equity: Examining Caregiver Perceptions of Youth Behavioral health Problems Among Filipino Immigrant Families

Background: AAP CATCH grants have supported innovative community-based health initiatives led by pediatricians. An example of such an initiative focused on Filipinos, the third largest Asian subgroup in the U.S., yet one of the least researched groups related to health status. The limited research available points to growing mental health disparities experienced by Filipino youth including high rates of anxiety, depression and suicide ideation. Understanding parent health beliefs regarding adolescent behavioral and mental health problems can assist in efforts to increase participation of parents in preventive and therapeutic behavioral health interventions.This study examines caregiver perceptions (i.e., perceived susceptibility) of youth behavioral health problems among Filipino immigrant families in the U.S. A secondary objective is to share key lessons learned from three CATCH grants received by a pediatrician who has dedicated her career to addressing Filipino child health disparities.

Methods: 215 caregivers of children aged 8 to 12 years were recruited from schools, clinics, community organizations and social media. The Health Belief Model was used as a framework for the creation of a survey that examined parent perceptions of perceived susceptibility to teenage violence, getting in trouble at school, and suicidal thoughts. Bivariate linear regression was used to identify potential predictors for further multivariate analysis. Predictors with p-values of less than .10 would be retained in multivariate models, while predictors with p-values of less than .05 would be considered statistically significant.

Results: Two hundred thirteen caregivers completed the survey. Caregivers had a mean age of 28.86 years (SD=11.74) and were predominantly female (76%). Most caregivers were born in the Philippines (88%) and have lived in the United States for five or more years (91%). Their children had a mean age of 8.83 years (SD=2.07), were predominantly female, (53%), and predominantly US born (79%). Multivariate regression analyses show that caregivers who were born in the United States were significantly more likely to believe that their children would be the victims of teenage violence (β=.140, p=.041). US born caregivers were significantly more likely to believe that their children would have friends who would get into trouble at school (β=.191, p=.005); however, those with older children were less likely to believe this (β=-.136, p=.048). US born caregivers were more likely to believe their kids would have thoughts about suicide during adolescence (β=.242, <.001), as did college graduated caregivers (β=.151, p=.023).

Conclusion: US-born Filipino caregivers have significant differences in their health beliefs and normative beliefs regarding behavior health problems in comparison to their Philippine-born counterparts. Awareness of these differences enabled our team to culturally tailor outreach efforts to promote engagement of Filipino immigrant families in preventive and therapeutic behavioral health interventions. CATCH grants enable pediatricians to advocate for health equity among underserved communities.