Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Volume 188, Issue 2, 2000, Pages 90-100

Effects of time in the United States and Indian ethnicity on DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders among Mexican Americans in California (Article)

Alderete E.* , Vega W.A. , Kolody B. , Aguilar-Gaxiola S.
  • a School of Public Health, Dept. of Hlth. Policy Administration, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
  • b Robert Wood Johnson Med. Sch.-UMDNJ, Piscataway, NJ, United States, Inst. for Qual., Res., and Training, Robert Wood Johnson Med. Sch.-UMDNJ, Liberty Plaza, 335 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
  • c San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
  • d California State University, Fresno, CA, United States

Abstract

The study examines the effects of time in the United States and Indian ethnicity on prevalence of 12 DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders among Mexican Americans in California. In Fresno county, primarily an agricultural area, 3012 participants of Mexican origin (18 to 59 years) were selected under a cluster sampling design and interviewed using a version of the World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Instrument (WHO-CIDI). Lifetime prevalence of any psychiatric disorder was 46.4% for Indians and 32.9% for non-Indians. Alcohol dependence was the most prevalent disorder (Indians = 17.4%, non-Indians = 10.7%). Indians had significantly higher risk of affective disorders (adjusted OR = 2.9) and drug abuse/dependence (adjusted OR = 2.6) compared with non-Indians. Time in the United States was associated with higher risk of lifetime affective disorders and drug abuse/dependence. This effect was more pronounced among Indians. Mexican immigrants are ethnically heterogenous and Indians appear to be more vulnerable to negative effects of exposure to U.S. society.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Indians, North American Indian human middle aged Time Factors Health Surveys drug dependence ethnology Mental Disorders Residence Characteristics mental disease United States Humans Adolescent California male Acculturation female Risk Factors Multivariate Analysis Psychiatric Status Rating Scales prevalence Article adult drug abuse Emigration and Immigration Transients and Migrants affective neurosis Mexican Americans time
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0033954230&doi=10.1097%2f00005053-200002000-00005&partnerID=40&md5=2e8d3d85a33db300c5e9e7d433715287
DOI: 10.1097/00005053-200002000-00005
ISSN: 00223018
Cited by: 49
Original Language: English