Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 13, Issue 3, 2011, Pages 500-509

Urban and rural immigrant latino youths' and adults' knowledge and beliefs about mental health resources (Article)

García C.M. , Gilchrist L. , Vazquez G. , Leite A. , Raymond N.
  • a School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, 5-140 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
  • b Deborah E. Powell Center for Women's Health, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
  • c Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
  • d School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
  • e Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States

Abstract

Immigrant Latino youth experience mental health problems in the U.S. Cultural beliefs and knowledge may influence help-seeking behaviors. Two hundred thirty-four immigrant Latino respondents between 12 and 44 years of age completed a questionnaire assessing knowledge of and cultural beliefs regarding mental health resources for adolescents, symptoms, and help-seeking. Multivariate analyses showed that rural respondents were significantly less likely to know of mental health resources than urban-based immigrant Latinos. Knowledge and belief outcomes were also affected by age, gender, and length of time living in the community. Immigrant Latinos appear willing to seek professional help for mental health problems but may not know how to access this type of care, or may lack available services. Future research to inform interventions that increase awareness of accessible mental health services is suggested. Findings support systems-level changes including increased availability of culturally-specific mental health services, especially in rural areas. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Author Keywords

Latino Parent Knowledge Cultural beliefs Mental health Adolescent

Index Keywords

urban population mental health service psychological aspect human rural population Mental Health Services ethnology Hispanic Americans Cross-Sectional Studies United States Young Adult cross-sectional study Humans Hispanic Adolescent male female cultural factor Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article adult Utilization Review patient attitude Patient Acceptance of Health Care Cultural Characteristics attitude to health Child instrumentation
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79957457257&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-010-9389-6&partnerID=40&md5=10ae3e8d27b9c2da0c2a323fb2b3c073
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-010-9389-6
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 16
Original Language: English