3038.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - Board 2

Abstract #13179

Comparing Mental Health Outpatient Services Between Latinos and Non-Latino Whites in the United States

Ruth Ríos, PhD1, Margarita Alegría, PhD1, and Thomas McGuire, PhD2. (1) School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, (787) 758-3189, r_rios@rcmaca.upr.clu.edu, (2) Boston University

This study compares the proportion of Latino (n=694) and non-Latino white(n=6,027) respondents who had an outpatient visit to a formal service provider for psychiatric problems during the year previous to the interview. METHODS: The data came from the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS), a nationwide survey of 8,098 respondents aged 15 to 54 in the United States household population. Rates of twelve-months use of mental health services were examined by type of formal service sector (general medical, mental health specialist and human services care sector) and separately for three Latinos subgroups (Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Other Latinos) as compared to non-Latino whites. The analyses were controlled by demographic characteristics, and indicators of mental morbidity and impairment (presence of a CIDI-diagnosis of mental disorder, poor self-perception of mental health, and presence of disability.) RESULTS: The groups were different regarding demographic characteristics. However, there were no significant differences between any of the Latino subgroups and non-Latino whites in rates of use of any mental health services and by provider. CONCLUSION: Methodological issues constrained the scope of the analysis and, therefore, the generalizability of the results. The NCS interview was administered completely in English, excluding those who could not understand and speak English. Comparison between more specific Latinos subgroups was not possible given the small sample size. Data is needed to address the heterogeneity of the Latino population and how it relates to the prevalence of mental disorders and psychiatric help-seeking behavior.

Learning Objectives: 1. Identify differences and similarities between Latinos and non-Latino whites from the NCS sample in terms of sociodemographic characteristics. 2. Describe the patterns of formal mental health services utilization among the different ethnic groups. 3. Discuss implications of methodological issues in the development of public health policy

Keywords: Mental Health Services, Latino Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA