Asian versus western differences in satisfaction with western medical care: The mediational effects of illness attributions

This study examined Asian versus Western students' satisfaction with Wester n medical care, and the extent to which differences in satisfaction are med iated by culture-specific "illness models". Seventy-nine Western (largely C anadian-born; 27 males, 53 females) and 63 Asian (first and second generati on immigrants; 31 males, 32 females) undergraduates completed measures asse ssing satisfaction with Western medical care and views about causes of illn ess. Results were consistent with predictions. Asian participants were less satisfied with the health care they had received in Canada, and believed m ore strongly in non-biological causes of illness (i.e.,"balance" and supern atural and interpersonal influences) than did Western participants. Moreove r, illness beliefs partly mediated the group differences in satisfaction wi th Western medical care.