The Virgin of Guadalupe as an ancillary modality for treating Hispanic substance abusers: Juramentos in the United States.
During a 6-month research study of substance abuse outreach and retention methods in Mexico, the authors learned about the common practice of a self-control mechanism to abstain from substance abuse: Juramentos. Juramentos are pledges usually made to the Virgin of Guadalupe in the presence of a Catholic priest. The Jurado promises not to drink during a specified period of time. The authors discuss the dynamics of Juramentos and present data from an exploratory study indicating that Juramentos are being used among Mexican migrants in Florida and may provide a culturally sensitive adjunct for treatment of Mexican and other Hispanic clients in the United States.
Cuadrado
Mary
M
Institute for Policy and Economic Development, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Ave, Kelly Hall #407, El Paso, TX 79968, USA. mcuadrado@utep.edu
Lieberman
Louis
L
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002410:Catholicism / Q000523:psychology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008800:Mexico / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012649:Self Concept; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult