Patterns of mental health help seeking among Latina immigrant women

Abstract

Background

Latina immigrant women are at increased risk of poor mental health due to stressors before, during, and after migration to the United States, including exposure to violence, social isolation, economic instability, and cultural and linguistic barriers. Despite this, they are less likely to seek professional mental health care due to lack of health insurance and limited availability of linguistically and culturally appropriate providers. We sought to describe patterns of mental health help seeking in a community sample of Latina immigrant women.

Methods

This study used survey data from a trial evaluating a mental health intervention among Latina immigrant women in King County, Washington. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and one-way ANOVA were used to describe patterns of mental health support seeking from both professional and non-professional sources, preferred sources of care, and barriers to mental health help seeking across demographic characteristics and mental health conditions (depression, anxiety and PTSD).

Results

In our sample, 43% of participants had ever sought mental health help from a professional, and 11% had sought care from a non-professional source. Stigma, particularly concerns about others finding out, and cost were the most common barriers to seeking professional mental health care. Participants with moderate to severe depression or PTSD were more likely to seek professional care.

Conclusion

By describing patterns of mental health help-seeking, including use of both professional and non-professional sources, this study extends prior research focused on barriers to professional care. Our findings highlight participants’ preferences for care and patterns of care-seeking across mental health conditions, emphasizing the need for community-based mental health services that address barriers due to cost, language, and stigma. Interventions involving family support may reduce stigma and enhance existing strengths among Latina immigrants.