Application of Cultural Constructs in the Care of First Generation Latino Clients in a Community Mental Health Setting

Abstract

As the Latino population in the United States grows, it is imperative to attend to the appropriateness of the mental health care that is being provided to its members. Latinos experience many of the same behavioral health disorders as other ethnic and cultural groups in the United States, but underutilize services relative to many other groups. Such underutilization may be related to issues such as stigma, language, and acculturation level, all of which often create barriers to treatment. First generation Latinos (i.e., individuals born outside the United States) are especially vulnerable to adverse experiences when seeking and receiving treatment. This may be due in part to acculturation and language issues which may further contribute to future underutilization of services. A well established therapeutic alliance developed through the appropriate use of cultural constructs may help mitigate some of the barriers faced by some Latino groups, especially those who are first generation. This paper reviews several cultural constructs that have been highlighted in the Hispanic behavioral health literature and discusses their potential implications for clinical care. This paper offers a number of practical clinical guidelines for mental health professionals who work with Latino groups. These clinical recommendations are based on a synthesis of selected cultural constructs and the clinical experiences of the authors' work in a large community-based Hispanic mental health clinic.

Mejorando Matrimonios

“…In addition to familismo and respeto, it is important to know that Hispanics place a higher emphasis on personal relationships as opposed to impersonal or formal relationships (Añez, Paris, Bedregal, Davidson, & Grilo, 2005). Personalismo refers to an emphasis placed on social caring and congeniality for others and strongly affects Hispanics perception of others (Añez et al, 2005).…”

“…Personalismo refers to an emphasis placed on social caring and congeniality for others and strongly affects Hispanics perception of others (Añez et al, 2005). According to Gloria and Peregoy (1996), Hispanics tend to perceive persons who honor, support, and care for their family as being more valued than persons who possess wealth or other material goods.…”

Help Seeking and Help Receiving for Emotional Distress Among Latino Men and Women

“…The tendency for participants to defer to older therapists and to feel more comfortable with therapists of the same generation suggests adherence to the norm of respeto, which refers to the tendency to adhere to a hierarchical structure based on title and age, and to recognize individuals with greater seniority or status (Añez, Paris, Bedregal, Davidson, & Grilo, 2005).…”

Informal discussions in substance abuse treatment sessions with Spanish-speaking clients

“…The implementation of high quality behavioral health services for Hispanics that are empirically supported and linguistically and culturally competent is a major challenge to the field (Añez, Paris, Bedregal, Davidson, & Grilo, 2005; Gloria & Peregoy, 1996; Sue, Arredondo, & McDavis, 1992; Volkow, 2006). …”

“…Personalismo is a style of communication that emphasizes warmth and an overall preference for relationships with individuals rather than institutions. Añez and colleagues (2005) note that appropriate self-disclosure, which can include “small talk” about hobbies, country of origin and favorite foods, might function to tap both of these valued experiences. The absence of informal discussion risks that the client might perceive the counselor as frío (cold) or antipático (unpleasant) (Añez et al, 2005).…”