Psychological Distress Behavioral Patterns Among Latinos: We Don't See Ourselves as Worthless.

A cross-sectional study of 4921 Latinos from the National Health Interview Survey was conducted to examine behavioral patterns of psychological distress among Latinos. Latent class analysis was used to ascertain psychological distress behavioral profiles among Latinos. Analysis revealed four latent classes of distress, which included moderate psychological distress (13.6%); mild sadness, nervousness, and restlessness (13.0%); high psychological distress (2.8%); and no psychological distress (70.7%). Worthlessness, a widely-accepted dimension of distress, was not a significant behavioral trait. Results from the present study suggest that underlying cultural elements affect the subjective interpretations of symptoms reported by Latinos. These findings highlight distress profiles among Latinos and the possibility of overlooking behaviors that are uniquely indicative of distress, potentially leading to the underreporting of serious psychological distress in this population. Furthermore, these findings shed light on other paradoxical issues impacting the mental health of Latinos.

Beliefs About Etiology and Treatment of Mental Illness Among Korean Presbyterian Pastors.

This descriptive study explored pastors' beliefs about etiology and treatment of mental illness. Surveys were completed by mail by 202 Korean and Euro-American Presbyterian clergy. Nearly one-third of Korean pastors viewed bad parenting and demon possession as very important causes of mental illness, in contrast to the more than two-thirds of Euro-American pastors who viewed genetics and chemical imbalances as the most important causes. Compared with their Euro-American counterparts, Korean pastors soundly endorsed spiritual treatment of mental illness. The findings of this study suggest the value of understanding the views of pastors working with populations that underutilize formal mental health services.

Correlates in the Endorsement of Psychotic Symptoms and Services Use: Findings from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys.

Endorsement of psychotic symptoms serves as an indicator of significant health issues and interpersonal distress. Seeking services is the ultimate recourse for many individuals, yet few studies have assessed the help-seeking process in a nationally representative sample. This study, guided by Lewis-Fernández et al.'s (J Nerv Ment Dis 197(5):337-347, 2009) analyses, examined the association of lifetime endorsement of psychotic symptoms with demographic, clinical and support system variables and types of services received. Based on nationally weighted epidemiological data, 11.6 % of adults reported one or more psychotic symptoms. Psychotic symptoms were associated with poor physical and mental health, specifically depressive, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Respondents were more likely to receive services from both informal and mental health providers and were more likely to be hospitalized than those not endorsing psychotic symptoms. Study findings inform community efforts to develop comprehensive services for individuals experiencing psychotic symptoms.

State of spirituality-infused mental health services in Los Angeles County wellness and client-run centers.

Spiritual coping is associated with positive mental health outcomes for individuals with serious mental illness, yet spirituality-infused services are seldom offered in public sector mental health agencies. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health introduced a policy addressing spirituality in 2012. This study explored the breadth and degree to which spirituality-infused activities were being offered in 53 Los Angeles wellness and recovery centers after the policy was widely disseminated. More than 98 % of the centers offered options for spirituality-infused activities; one-third offered spirituality-focused groups. Los Angeles's progress may guide implementation of spirituality-infused services in other state or local public mental health systems.

Hope and burden among Latino families of adults with schizophrenia.

This study examined hope and family burden among Latino families of individuals with schizophrenia. The sample consisted of 54 family members, one family member per outpatient adult recruited from public mental health programs in a diverse urban community. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to test the hypothesis that the family member's increased hope for the patient's future would be associated with decreased family burden beyond effects explained by the patient's length of illness and severity of symptoms. Results supported the study hypothesis. Family hope for the patient's future was associated with four of five types of family burden. Findings point to the prominent role of hope as a source of resilience for Latino families dealing with severe mental illness of a loved one.

Family matters: A qualitative study of stressors experienced by Korean American college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: This study explores mental health stressors related to family dynamics of Korean American college students during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: In January 2021, using purposive sampling, we recruited 15 Korean American student leaders at a west coast university. Methods: Self-identified leaders were interviewed via Zoom, and data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a thematic analytic approach based on grounded theory. Results: Students leaders' perceived sources of family stress for Korean American college students centered on three themes: (1) loss of independence, (2) family pressure, and (3) strained family relationships. Conclusion: Study findings offer insight for college mental health programming regarding family stressors, especially as related to moving back home with family.

Community mental health allies: referral behavior among Asian American immigrant Christian clergy.

Asian American Christian faith leaders support and provide an array of services within their communities. However, little is known about their response to congregants' mental health concerns. This study examined correlates of mental health referral behavior among 103 Asian American Christian clergy in California who completed an anonymous mail survey. Using multiple regression analyses, we found that clergy's prior mental health education, knowledge of mental illness, education level, time spent providing individual counseling and referral to general practitioners were positively associated with making mental health referrals. Outreach efforts (including mental health education, and mental health referral information) to facilitate clergy's support of congregants with mental health needs are discussed.

Exploring second generation Korean American alcohol use through church-based participatory research: A rapid ethnographic assessment in Los Angeles, California, United States.

The prevalence of heavy drinking is high among Korean Americans (KAs), but alcohol treatment utilisation is low. Korean American drinking behaviours may be attributable to the Korean drinking culture. However, relatively little research has been conducted to explore this narrative. The aim of this paper was to examine the social and cultural contexts of drinking and help-seeking behaviours among second generation KAs. In 2016, we conducted a rapid ethnographic assessment (REA) in partnership with a Korean American church in Los Angeles. The REA involved participant observation and ten unstructured interviews. We used constructivist grounded theory to analyse the themes emerging from field notes and interview transcripts. Respondents perceived the existence of a Korean drinking culture in the United States that has been passed down from prior generations and preserved in ethnic enclaves. This Korean drinking culture was marked by festive occasions with heavy drinking, but the extent to which respondents adopted this drinking culture may have depended on their ethnic identities and connections to the community. For many second generation KAs, identity and community were tied to religious life. We found that KAs perceived professional treatment and recovery resources to be underutilised. We offer insights about church-based participatory research as an approach to studying drinking among KAs.

Intrinsic motivation as a mediator of relationships between symptoms and functioning among individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in a diverse urban community.

This study investigated intrinsic motivation as a mediator of the relationship between clinical symptoms and functioning. The mediation model was tested with a sample of 166 adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders attending psychosocial rehabilitation programs in a diverse urban community. Ethnic minority status was examined as a moderator of the mediation model. Motivation was measured using items reflecting intrapsychic drive. Symptoms were assessed with the expanded Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and functioning with the Role Functioning Scale. Motivation was a significant mediator of the relationship between functioning and all symptom scores; fully mediating the relationship between functioning and negative, disorganized, and global symptoms, and partially mediating the relationship between positive symptoms and functioning. Motivation scores between ethnic minority and nonminority individuals differed significantly (p < 0.05), but no moderation effect was indicated. The strong mediation effect schizophrenia of motivation on the symptoms-functioning relationship supports future work to translate findings into effective recovery-oriented services.

Culturally Based Intervention Development: The Case of Latino Families Dealing With Schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES: This article describes the process of developing a culturally based family intervention for Spanish-speaking Latino families with a relative diagnosed with schizophrenia. METHOD: Our iterative intervention development process was guided by a cultural exchange framework and based on findings from an ethnographic study. We piloted this multifamily group 16-session intervention with 59 Latino families in a randomized control trial. Data were collected on family- and client-level outcomes, and poststudy focus groups were conducted with intervention participants. RESULTS: Preliminary evidence indicates that the intervention is effective by increasing illness knowledge and reducing family burden. CONCLUSIONS: This work can provide a model for how to integrate cultural factors into psychosocial services and enhance interventions in real-world settings for culturally diverse populations.