title: Communication and culture: predictors of treatment adherence among Mexican immigrant patients.
abstract: This study examined communication and culture in clinicians' interactions with Mexican immigrants in Texas. Specifically, we explore the unique interplay among levels of acculturation, beliefs about culturally-based medical practices, perceptions of medical encounters, and the likelihood of adherence to medical therapy recommendations from US providers. Results suggest that: (a) acculturation predicts perceptions of out-group membership in the patient-provider interaction; (b) beliefs about complementary and alternative medicine are negatively related to medical adherence; (c) quality of care mediates the relationship between physician accommodation and medical adherence; and (d) there exists a complex relationship between out-group perceptions and adherence.
authors: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA. mvilla@gmu.edu
authors: Melinda
authors: M
authors: Villagran
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Hajek
authors: Xiaoquan
authors: X
authors: Zhao
authors: Emily
authors: E
authors: Peterson
authors: Elaine
authors: E
authors: Wittenberg-Lyles
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D003469:Culture; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult