Depressive symptoms among help-seeking Latinas in a disadvantaged, urban, northeastern community mental health center

Community Ment Health J. 2014 Apr;50(3):331-5. doi: 10.1007/s10597-013-9655-x. Epub 2013 Nov 6.

Abstract

This study examined racial/ethnic differences in self-reported depressive symptoms in a clinical population at a northeastern community mental health center. Two hundred eighty-two individuals presenting for mental health intake completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II in either English or Spanish. Latinas reported higher severity of depressive symptoms compared to both African Americans and non-Latina whites. Latinas showed higher levels on both the somatic and the affective/cognitive scales of the BDI-II. These findings differ somewhat from previous reports, some of which suggest that Latinas exhibit elevation specifically in somatic symptoms. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for assessment and treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Black People / psychology
  • Black People / statistics & numerical data
  • Community Mental Health Centers / statistics & numerical data*
  • Connecticut / epidemiology
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / ethnology*
  • Female
  • Health Status Disparities*
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data
  • Vulnerable Populations / ethnology
  • Vulnerable Populations / psychology*
  • Vulnerable Populations / statistics & numerical data
  • White People / psychology
  • White People / statistics & numerical data