Abstract
Studies suggest that the prevalence of mental illness in Latinos is similar to that of other groups; however, Latinos are less likely than non-Latino whites to access mental health services, and when they do, the quality of care is poor. To better understand the factors that influence use of mental health services among Latinos, a descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted (N= 340; 219 non-consumers and 121 consumers), which examined the association between social capital, acculturation, cultural beliefs or explanatory models of illness, stigma, need, and mental health service use. An innovative integrative model drawing from Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Service Use and the Social Ecological Model by McElroy was used to identify the variables that would predict use of mental health services.
Significant variables from a bivariate analysis were included in a multivariable logistic regression model to determine factors associated with use of mental health services, intention to use, and source of care mental health services. The Wald test for overall goodness of fit reveals a significantly good fit. The significant predictors of use of mental health service were Acculturation [OR 1.10, 95% CI: (1.01,1.21)], Stigma [OR 1.08, 95% CI: (1.00, 1.16)], and Need [OR: 0.20, 95% CI: (0.10, 0.41)]. An elevated though non-significant association was also seen with Health Insurance status[OR: 1.87, 95% CI: (0.92, 3.80)]. The only significant predictor of intent to use mental health services was found to be high social capital vs. low [OR 0.10 95%; CI: (0.02, 0.53)]. Additionally, source of care was predicted by acculturation [OR 1.13 95%; CI: (1.05, 1.22)]. Also, social capital was not found to be significantly correlated with mental health service use, but was found to be significantly positively correlated (r=0.11, p=0.04) to self-rated mental health status.
Recommendations informed by the findings are presented within the context of the individual, community, and organizational level of the social ecological model, and may be used to frame the design of policy interventions to increase service use among Latinos in San Bernardino, California.
LLU Discipline
Social Policy and Social Research
Department
Social Policy and Research
School
School of Science and Technology
First Advisor
Susanne Montgomery
Second Advisor
Juan Carlos Belliard
Third Advisor
Sigrid James
Fourth Advisor
Christiane Schubert
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Degree Level
Ph.D.
Year Degree Awarded
2010
Date (Title Page)
3-2010
Language
English
Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings
Mental Health; Hispanic Americans; Acculturation; Ethnic Groups -- psychology; Attitude to Health; Delivery of Health Care; Mental Health Services -- utilization; Socioeconomic Factors; Cross-Cultural Studies.
Type
Thesis
Page Count
xvi; 175
Digital Format
Digital Publisher
Loma Linda University Libraries
Copyright
Author
Usage Rights
This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.
Recommended Citation
McField, Edward Jr., "Culture, Acculturation, and Social Capital: Latinos and Use of Mental Health Services" (2010). Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects. 2684.
https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/2684
Collection
Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Collection Website
http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/
Repository
Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives
Included in
Community-Based Research Commons, Design of Experiments and Sample Surveys Commons, Other Philosophy Commons, Social Policy Commons
