Associations of physical symptoms with perceived need for and use of mental health services among Latino and Asian Americans

► It has been hypothesized that racial/ethnic minorities somatize distress, thus masking mental health problem recognition. ► The somatization hypothesis was tested in a nationally-representative sample of Latino and Asian Americans in the USA. ► Physical symptoms were associated with higher perceived mental health need and treatment, especially among immigrants. ► Physical symptoms do not explain low perceived mental health need and service use among Latino and Asian Americans. ► Physical symptoms may not account for under-detection of mental disorders and contextual factors should be considered.