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01-10-2012 | Original Paper

Examining Lifetime Episodes of Sadness, Help Seeking, and Perceived Treatment Helpfulness Among US Latino/as

Authors: Elma I. Lorenzo-Blanco, Jorge Delva

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 5/2012

Abstract

This study investigated episodes of sadness, help seeking for episodes of sadness, and perceived treatment helpfulness among Latino/as. Specifically, we examined whether gender, ethnicity, and other socio-cultural variables predicted episodes of sadness, help seeking, and treatment helpfulness. Data were taken from the National Latino Asian American Study which included service use questions for episodes of sadness. We stratified the data by service provider and used multiple logistic regressions as analytic strategy. Latinas had higher rates of episodes of sadness than Latinos, and everyday discrimination was positively associated with sadness. Acculturation was associated with more help seeking. Puerto Ricans had the highest rates of help seeking, and Mexican–Americans the lowest. Discrimination was the strongest predictor of treatment helpfulness from any professional as individuals with discriminatory experiences found services less helpful. Interventions need to address cultural factors but more focus needs to be placed on policies that seek to eliminate inequalities.

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Title: Examining Lifetime Episodes of Sadness, Help Seeking, and Perceived Treatment Helpfulness Among US Latino/as
Authors: Elma I. Lorenzo-Blanco
Jorge Delva
Publication date: 01-10-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-011-9426-5

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Examining Lifetime Episodes of Sadness, Help Seeking, and Perceived Treatment Helpfulness Among US Latino/as

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