189388 Pathways and Correlates Connecting Exposure to the U.S. and Latino Mental Health

Monday, October 27, 2008: 12:48 PM

Benjamin L. Cook, PhD , Center for Multicultural Mental Health Research, Cambridge Health Alliance, Somerville, MA
Julia Lin, PhD , Center for Multicultural Mental Health Research, Cambridge Health Alliance, Somerville, MA
Jing Guo, MS , Center for Multicultural Mental Health Research, Cambridge Health Alliance, Somerville, MA
Margarita Alegria, PhD , Psychiatry--Center for Multicultural MH Research, Harvard Medical School, Somerville, MA
  
Objectives. We examined potential pathways by which time in the U.S. may relate to differences in rates of last year psychiatric disorder among Latino immigrants as compared to U.S. born Latinos.

Methods. Using logistic regression analyses, we estimated the predicted rates for U.S.-born and immigrant groups with varying time in the U.S. adjusting for different combinations of covariates as a way to test six different potential “pathways” by which time in the U.S. may increase/decrease the risk for psychiatric disorders.

Results. Exposure to the U.S. increases predicted rates of psychiatric disorder among Latino immigrants. After adjustment for relevant covariates, differences disappear between U.S.-born and immigrant Latinos. Discrimination and family cultural conflict appear to play a significant mediating role in the relationship between time in the U.S. and rates of psychiatric disorder.

Conclusions. Findings suggest that increasing discrimination and family cultural conflict are pathways by which time in the U.S. increases probability of having psychiatric disorder in the last year. Adjustment methods described here can be applied to future studies analyzing pathways between time in the U.S. and mental health.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe different pathways by which time in the U.S. affects mental health for Latinos. 2. Articulate the procedure for analyzing immigrant group differences and pathways using three different adjustment methods. 3. Apply statistical adjustment methods to understand correlates and pathways connecting exposure to the U.S. and mental health

Keywords: Mental Health Services, Latinos

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have conducted the analyses and research required and possess the relevant expertise in disparities services research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Invited Session: Crossing Conceptual Borders - Issues in Latino Mental Health
See more of: Mental Health