Culture and Health seeking behaviors of Hispanics



Table of Contents

Introduction3

Description and Analysis3

Mental Health Service Use3

Acculturation, social capital, and mental health services use4

Health Seeking Behaviors5

Attitudes towards Mental Health services among Hispanics6

Religion and Mental Health Service Utilization7

Application to Community Clinical Practice7

Conclusion8

References9

Culture and Health seeking behaviors of Hispanics

Introduction

Studies suggest that the prevalence of mental illness in Hispanics is similar to that of other groups; however, Hispanics are less likely than non-Hispanic whites to access mental health services, and when they do, the quality of care is poor. To understand the factors that influence the use of mental health services among Hispanics, a descriptive, cross- sectional, correlational study examined the association between social capital, acculturation, cultural beliefs or explanatory models of illness, stigma, need, and mental health service use.

An innovative, integrative model drawing from Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Service Use and the Social Ecological Model that identified the variables that would predict use of mental health services. Significant variables from a bivariate analysis included in a multi-variable logistic regression model, which determined the factors associated with the use of mental health services, intention to use, and source of care mental health services.

Description and Analysis

Mental Health Service Use

Barriers to menial health service use. With these facts in mind, there is great urgency to learn more about the mental health needs and barriers that minorities encounter in accessing mental health care. Studies suggest that minority racial/ethnic groups are more likely to use emergency services than whites for mental health care, which suggests that they are less likely to seek proper care and to wait until there is a crisis (Ajzen 2000, 90).

Likewise, Hispanic women were less likely to use behavioral health services than white women and less likely to report perceived need, even after frequent mental distress. Other studies suggest that the lack of adequate insurance coverage for mental health cost of psychotropic medication, psychotherapeutic treatments, and behavioral rehabilitation, lack of attention to the needs of at risk or vulnerable populations, and few health professionals who are members of racial/ethnic minority groups, greatly impact utilization rates.

Additionally, cultural beliefs and attitudes affect how minority parents recognize, understand, and respond to emotional and behavioral problems. It is argued that Hispanic cultural characteristics may also represent barriers that discourage service use, such as stigma attached to services, a belief that problems should remain within the family, beliefs about the causes of mental illness, a lack of knowledge about services due to unfamiliarity with American culture and language, and scarcity of culturally appropriate services (Fishbein 2005, 173).

Acculturation, social capital, and mental health services use

In recent years, researchers have identified the Hispanic Paradox or Immigrant Paradox. Studies show that those born outside the U.S., have a health advantage compared with U.S.-born persons of the same socioeconomic status. However, this advantage is eroded the longer they reside in the U. S. In regards to mental health, researchers have concluded that U.S.-born individuals are more likely to experience depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders than non-US ...