Mental health needs and service utilization by Hispanic immigrants residing in mid-southern United States.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed mental health needs and service utilization patterns in a convenience sample of Hispanic immigrants.


METHODS
A total of 84 adult Hispanic participants completed a structured diagnostic interview and a semistructured service utilization interview with trained bilingual research assistants.


RESULTS
In the sample, 36% met diagnostic criteria for at least one mental disorder. Although 42% of the sample saw a physician in the prior year, mental health services were being rendered primarily by religious leaders. The most common barriers to service utilization were cost (59%), lack of health insurance (35%), and language (31%). Although more women than men met criteria for a disorder, service utilization rates were comparable. Participants with a mental disorder were significantly more likely to have sought medical, but not psychiatric, services in the prior year and faced significantly more cost barriers than participants without a mental disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that Hispanic immigrants, particularly those with a mental illness, need to access services but face numerous systemic barriers. The authors recommend specific ways to make services more affordable and linguistically accessible.
Department of Psychology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA. abridges@uark.edu
Ana J
AJ
Bridges
Arthur R
AR
Andrews
Tisha L
TL
Deen
D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D001131:Arkansas; D054521:Cultural Competency; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011594:Psychometrics; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016746:Transcultural Nursing; D014481:United States