title: Spiritism in Puerto Rico. Results of an island-wide community study.
abstract: Using data from the first community-based, epidemiological survey of Puerto Rico, this paper examines the current prevalence of use of spiritist healers by Puerto Ricans, the role of spiritism in the provision of mental health services, and the association between spiritism and psychiatric disorders and symptoms. Those who visit spiritists were found to be more likely to work outside the home, to have a low family income, to have sought help for emotional problems from mental health professionals, and to have mild symptoms of depression.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biometry and Applied Sciences, National Institute of Mental Health, Rockville, Maryland 20857.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Hohmann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Richeport
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Marriott
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Canino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rubio-Stipec
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bird
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008602:Mental Healing; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013140:Spiritualism