Perceptions of Mental Illness among Mexican-Americans in the Rio Grande Valley

This study examines perceptions of mental illness among Mexican-Americans along the U.S./Mexico border in South Texas by interviewing 25 mental health professionals who work exclusively with the Mexican-American population. Mental health professionals were asked about their clients' presenting...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of ethnic & cultural diversity in social work 2013-01, Vol.22 (1), p.1-16
Main Authors: Barrera, Iran, Gonzalez, John, Jordan, Catheleen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Borders
Content analysis
Ethnography
focus groups
Health Problems
Hispanic Americans
Interviews
Medical personnel
Mental disorders
Mental Health
Mental Illness
Mental Patients
Mexican-Americans
Mexico
minority mental health
Perceptions
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Summary:This study examines perceptions of mental illness among Mexican-Americans along the U.S./Mexico border in South Texas by interviewing 25 mental health professionals who work exclusively with the Mexican-American population. Mental health professionals were asked about their clients' presenting problems; the causes of such problems; and what clients feared the most about their conditions. Ethnographic content analysis was used to analyze the group participants' narratives. After a brief review of the literature, study methodology, results and discussion, and implications are presented. Findings suggest that clinicians serving this population should be patient and sensitive, and should utilize the client as the expert in describing perceptions of mental illness.
ISSN:1531-3204
1531-3212
DOI:10.1080/15313204.2013.756734