<p> This qualitative study explores the utilization of mental health services among Latinos in the United States. The sample included 15 Latino participants of various age groups who completed an 11-question questionnaire that provided data regarding demographics, perceptions about mental illness, consequences and improvements regarding mental illness, and known resources concerning mental health. Findings revealed that older generational Latinos were less receptive to utilizing mental health services than younger Latino generations. Majority of participants (54.5%) identified alcoholism as one of the most common family dysfunctions in their households while growing up. Participants indicated that although family members would benefit from mental health services their lack of awareness and education prevented family members from utilizing mental health services. Majority of participants, (66.7%) held a college degree and belonged to a younger Latino generation and were more receptive, educated, aware and open to accept mental health services.</p>

<p>Research has demonstrated that acculturative stress is an important influence on anxiety and depression in Latinos, however methodological issues limit generalizability of findings. The present study examines Latino subgroup (i.e., Cuban, Puerto Rican, Mexican) differences in the influence of acculturative stress on Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Secondary data analysis of data from 2,554 Latino immigrants in the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS) included stratified hierarchical logistic regression. The NLAAS collected data via in-person interviews at the participants' homes by bilingual interviewers in the participants&rsquo; language of choice. Acculturative stress was significantly related to MDD for Other Latinos (<i>p</i> &lt; .001), and to GAD for Mexicans (<i>p</i> = .040). Results provide empirical evidence for the need to disaggregate Latino subgroups. Subgroup heterogeneity may introduce important contextual factors that should be accounted for when exploring their mental health, particularly when examining acculturative stress. </p>

<p> HIV has remained a public health problem in Nigeria. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the effect of social support and HIV-related stigma on depression in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and to examine the moderating effect of sociodemographic factors, Quality of Life (QOL), and time since HIV diagnosis on this relationship. This study was based on the social cognitive theory. Data were collected from 98 PLWHA attending the antiretroviral clinic of Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, Nigeria. Regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between the variables. Some 24.5% of the study participants were depressed. Significant relationships identified included negative relationships between depression and social support, positive relationships between depression and negative self-image, and a combination of poor social support and HIV-related stigma having synergic effects in predicting depression. Sociodemographic variables, quality of life, and time since HIV diagnosis did not have a moderating effect on the relationship between social support, HIV-related stigma, and depression in PLWHA. There is a need to improve social support and reduce HIV-related stigma in PLWHA in order to improve their mental health. These findings can help in bringing about positive social change by informing the development of public health initiatives aimed at improving the mental health of PLWHA.</p>

Theses (M.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1943.

Theses (M.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1943.

No description available.