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Latino Immigrants with Depression: An Initial Examination of Treatment Issues at a Community Clinic

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Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate specific characteristics that may affect the psychological treatment retention of Latinos diagnosed with depression in a community mental health clinic that provides culturally responsive services. Thirty-six Latino clients participated in the pilot study. Descriptive statistics were generated on acculturation, acculturative stress, familismo (the importance of the family), specific demographic variables, and other factors potentially related to treatment outcome. Two specific groups were compared: regular attendees (RAs; n = 18) and premature terminators (PTs; n = 18). RAs were significantly less likely to be employed, and more likely to have medications prescribed at the clinic compared to PTs. Acculturation, acculturative stress, and familismo did not differentiate between groups but were found to characterize the entire sample. The results support the premise that psychological treatment combined with medication keeps clients in treatment. Knowledge of perceived and actual barriers encountered by Latino clients are necessary to guide community-based mental health clinics in developing effective service delivery alternatives that will enhance treatment engagement.

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Notes

  1. Sample questions on the semi-structured interview include: “How important is religion in your life?”(1 = “not important” and 7 = “very important”), “How was your transition when you moved here from your country of origin?”, “Were you prescribed medication for your depression?”, “Did any family member participate in counseling with you?”, and “Does/did your family influence your decision to seek counseling?” With respect to the infrastructure of the clinic, participants were asked to rate a number of factors such as the location of the clinic, availability of parking, safety and security, and promptness in scheduling their first visit. Survey questions specifically for the PTs were: “Were any of these situations involved in preventing you from continuing to come to the clinic?” followed by this list: Not having childcare, Not having transportation, Not having anyone other than myself to pick up my child or children after school, Unable to take time off from work, Not understanding the counseling process, Family problems, Not employed, and No health insurance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling Psychology Program, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, P.O. Box 413, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-0413, USA

    Azara L. Santiago-Rivera

  2. Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology Program, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Jonathan W. Kanter

  3. Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA

    Andrew M. Busch

  4. Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Andrew M. Busch

  5. Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Laura C. Rusch

  6. Department of Educational, Counseling Psychology Program, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    William Reyes

  7. Sixteenth Street Community Health Center, Behavioral Health Clinic, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Paul West & Martha Runge

Authors
  1. Azara L. Santiago-Rivera
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  2. Jonathan W. Kanter
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  6. Paul West
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  7. Martha Runge
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Correspondence to Azara L. Santiago-Rivera.

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Santiago-Rivera, A.L., Kanter, J.W., Busch, A.M. et al. Latino Immigrants with Depression: An Initial Examination of Treatment Issues at a Community Clinic. J Immigrant Minority Health 13, 772–779 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-010-9380-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-010-9380-2

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