Urban and rural immigrant Latino youths' and adults' knowledge and beliefs about mental health resources.
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.
García
Carolyn Marie
CM
School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, 5-140 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. Garcia@umn.edu
Gilchrist
Lauren
L
Vazquez
Gabriela
G
Leite
Amy
A
Raymond
Nancy
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies / Q000295:instrumentation; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D012424:Rural Population; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult