Latino Disparities in Child Mental Health Services

Abstract

The literature confirmed a pattern of underutilization of mental health services by Latino children, but did not completely address the reasons for the disparity. Suggested barriers were language and cultural issues. Gaps in the literature include a lack of agreement for definition of a mental health problem and the tools to identify these, insufficient studies into the barriers for Latino children in the access and utilization of mental health services, and cultural and language issues related to Latino research.

The Impact of Parents and Teachers on Externalizing Behavior Among Latino/a Adolescents via Academic Achievement: Combining the Mental Health and Educational Perspectives

“…Finally, the first hypothesis also saw support in how academic achievement inversely related to externalizing behavior. While there is ample evidence of this inverse relationship among the general population (Bryant et al, 2003; Diego et al, 2003; Zimmermann et al, 2013), this study’s findings are in line with other Latino-specific studies demonstrating the negative association between academic achievement and externalizing behavior (C. Lopez et al, 2008; Vaughn et al, 2011).…”

“…As for the final hypothesis, only one significant indirect effect was found—academic achievement was found to mediate the association between the adolescent–teacher relationship and externalizing behavior. While studies analyzing this particular indirect pathway remained elusive, these findings are consistent with research that have found isolated occasions of links between the adolescent–teacher relationship and academic achievement (Rassiger, 2012; Roorda et al, 2011) and between academic achievement and externalizing behavior (C. Lopez et al, 2008; Vaughn et al, 2011).…”

“…Regarding the connection between academic outcomes and externalizing behavior, students with higher academic achievement may be less at risk to engage in externalizing behavior (Diego et al, 2003). Similarly, academic achievement has been shown to influence externalizing behavior among Latino youth as well (C. Lopez et al, 2008; Vaughn et al, 2011).…”

“…Lopez et al, 2008; Vaughn et al, 2011). For instance, C. Lopez and colleagues (2008) found that poor school functioning was associated with more externalizing behavior, while Vaughn and colleagues (2011) found that failing grades contributed to externalizing behavior among Latino adolescents.…”

“…Numerous studies have linked parenting to adolescent externalizing behavior (e.g., Wang et al, 2012; White & Renk, 2012; Yabiku et al, 2010), and scholars are now researching nonfamilial contributing factors in order to examine a more holistic/systemic picture (C. Lopez et al, 2008).…”