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RESOURCES AND OBSTACLES TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE UTILIZATION: INTERVIEWS WITH CHRONICALLY MENTALLY ILL MEXICAN AMERICAN CLIENTS AND SIGNIFICANT FAMILY MEMBERS

The intent of this study was to examine the perceived resources and obstacles which were related to the utilization of mental health services by chronically mentally ill Mexican American clients. Specifically, the study identified resources and obstacles encountered by six chronically mentally ill clients and six family members as they accessed various mental health services. The study was conducted in the fall of 1985 from clients currently receiving services from La Frontera Center, Inc., Tucson, Arizona. Data were interpreted through content analysis to conceptualize and categorize client and family member responses. Chronically mentally ill clients relied heavily on individuals such as friends, therapist and priest as resources for mental health service support. In contrast, family members focused primarily on institutions for resource support. Financial resources, institutional policies, denial, and the lack of personal direction were listed as obstacles to seeking mental health services by clients and family members. Study results suggested that the perceptions of traditional and nontraditional obstacles and resources by Mexican American clients and family members continue to strongly influence utilization of mental health services In particular, the issue of "stigma" and the personal
qualities and abilities of the therapist emerged as significant descriptors in client and family member self statements.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/291716
Date January 1986
CreatorsPortillo, Carmen Julieta, 1955-
ContributorsCardea, Jane M., Young, Katherine, Chavez, Nelba
PublisherThe University of Arizona.
Source SetsUniversity of Arizona
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext, Thesis-Reproduction (electronic)
RightsCopyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.

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