What leads non-U.S.-Born Latinos to access mental health care?

Soc Work Health Care. 2013;52(1):1-19. doi: 10.1080/00981389.2012.733326.

Abstract

Latinos underutilize mental health care services. Of those who do, about 70% do not return after the initial visit. This study's purposes were: (1) to identify factors that led non-U.S.-born Latinos to utilize services from a nonprofit clinic in Texas and (2) to assess whether acculturation played a role in accessing mental health care. Data were collected over a 10-week period using an interview schedule and the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale for Latinos. Results indicate acculturation does not play a significant role in access, but patient knowledge of mental health care issues does. Specifically, the main barriers to access were: (1) lack of knowledge that there was a mental health issue; and (2) lack of knowledge of where to go for mental health services.

MeSH terms

  • Acculturation
  • Adult
  • Central America / ethnology
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / ethnology
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Mental Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Mexico / ethnology
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / ethnology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Texas