RESUMO
This study examines the influence of cultural context on social distance and perceptions of stigma towards mental health conditions among Latino populations in Houston, TX, USA and Mexico City, Mexico. We employed a community-based experimental vignette survey to assess perceptions towards individuals experiencing symptoms of alcohol misuse, depression, and psychosis. Participants (n = 513) from Houston and Mexico City were asked about their willingness to accept community members experiencing mental health symptoms in various social roles, their perceptions of stigma related to these symptoms, anticipated danger, possible positive outcomes, and the community member's ability to change. Findings demonstrate significant differences in stigma perceptions between Latino respondents in the US and in Mexico. Houston participants reported lower public stigma and perceived dangerousness of someone with mental health concerns compared to respondents in Mexico City. Furthermore, the cultural context may influence the association between various dimensions of stigma, with some inverse relationships occurring based on location of data collection. Findings illuminate the complex interplay between cultural context, mental health symptoms, and stigma, and underscores the need for culturally nuanced interventions to reduce mental health stigma and promote service utilization in Latino communities.
Assuntos
Transtornos Mentais , Saúde Mental , Humanos , Estados Unidos , México , Estigma Social , Transtornos Mentais/psicologia , Inquéritos e Questionários , Hispânico ou Latino/psicologiaRESUMO
Most people in need of mental health services in Mexico do not seek formal support or professional services to address their mental health needs. Understanding help-seeking behaviors is crucial to addressing underutilized mental health services and to leverage health promotion efforts. Data were collected as part of a larger research project on stigma and help-seeking for mental-health-related concerns in Mexico. A convenience sample of 469 adults residing in Mexico City participated in the study using an experimental vignette methodology assessing stigma toward individuals with mental health conditions, along with characteristics and demographic correlates of help-seeking. All survey measures were administered in Spanish. A structural regression was conducted for the outcome 'openness to professional help seeking for mental health problems' as a latent variable. Compared with males, females were more open to professional help seeking (b = 0.09, p = 0.038), as were people who endorsed higher spirituality (b = 0.01, p = 0.006); while people who experienced self-stigma were less open to professional help-seeking for mental health concerns (b = -0.15, p = 0.005). Self-stigma was a major driver of low service utilization. Contrary to previous studies, spirituality was a significant positive predictor of professional help-seeking. A more nuanced understanding of mental health help-seeking in Mexico can be useful for outreach efforts to increase service utilization both in Mexico and among Latinos in the United States (US). Given historical, geographic, and cultural ties with the US, it is important to understand mental health help-seeking in Mexico, which may relate directly to help-seeking behaviors in many US Latinos who have immigrated to the US. Directions for future research and practice implications are discussed, including a roadmap for health promotion activities.
Assuntos
Transtornos Mentais , Saúde Mental , Adulto , Masculino , Feminino , Humanos , Estados Unidos , México , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/psicologia , Transtornos Mentais/epidemiologia , Transtornos Mentais/terapia , Transtornos Mentais/psicologia , Estigma SocialRESUMO
Objective: This study explored factors associated with public stigma toward individuals misusing alcohol in Mexico. Methods: A randomized experimental vignette methodology was used to assess multiple domains of substance use-related stigma and their relationship to the gender of the vignette subject and the sociodemographic characteristics of respondents. Results: Although levels of stigma toward women who were misusing alcohol did not differ significantly from stigma toward men misusing alcohol, stigma levels and type of stigma reported varied with the sociodemographic characteristics of respondents. Education level, gender, self-stigma and openness to seeking mental health services were differentially associated with the three stigma domains. Conclusions: Accordingly, targeted community based stigma reduction efforts are needed to decrease stigma toward those misusing alcohol, and to support treatment initiation, ongoing treatment engagement and long term recovery efforts. Suggestions for future research on the relationship between substance use and stigma are offered.
Assuntos
Alcoolismo , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Identidade de Gênero , México , Estigma Social , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/psicologiaRESUMO
Correctional staff work in demanding job environments that can lead to increased burnout. Research aims were to determine the prevalence of burnout and devaluation of consumers (i.e., individuals in their care) and their families among correctional staff, examine associations between burnout and devaluation of consumers and their families, and determine significant predictors of burnout. This exploratory study investigated 30 correctional staff in a specialized psychiatric correctional facility for individuals with mental illness in Mexico City. Correctional staff experienced low to moderate burnout, reported high levels of devaluation of consumers (DCS), and low levels of devaluation of consumers' families (DCFS). The implications of burnout on DCS and DCFS warrant large scale research and should compare burnout and devaluation in specialized psychiatric correctional facilities versus general correctional facilities.
Assuntos
Esgotamento Profissional , Prisões , Esgotamento Profissional/epidemiologia , Esgotamento Profissional/psicologia , Humanos , Satisfação no Emprego , México , PrevalênciaRESUMO
In recent years, significant policy changes focused on immigrants migrating through the southern United States border have been implemented. To determine if there was an association between time since immigration and increases in negative mental health symptomology, 249 Mexican-American immigrants ages 18-65 were field recruited to participate in a survey exploring their physical and mental health. Results indicate that inconsistent with the Hispanic Health Paradox, the psychological health of immigrants arriving since 2015 was significantly worse than that of more established immigrants. New arrivals had a .38 increased risk of experiencing clinically significant depression and a .47 increased risk of experiencing global psychological distress. Time since immigration was not significantly related to past 30-day alcohol use. Implications for future research and clinical practice with immigrants are explored, and suggestions on how better identify and assist Mexican-American immigrants with mental health concerns are offered.