Culture and Mental Health Help-Seeking Attitudes in Mexico.

• Main Author: Gomez, Steven David
• Other Authors: Jenkins, Sharon Rae
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2007
• Subjects: Culture; mental health; help-seeking; explanatory models; Mexico; Mental health > Mexico.; Help-seeking behavior > Mexico.; College students > Mental health > Mexico.
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3670/

This study was designed to investigate 1) the cultural factors involved with Mexican citizens' attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help and 2) Mexican citizens' explanatory models of mental distress. Questionnaire data from 110 Mexican college students indicate that those who report a higher tolerance for stigma report lower endorsement of both the construct of personalismo and the machismo. Respondents who reported more interpersonal openness also reported a lower endorsement of the machismo construct. Participants from a large city reported significantly more stigma tolerance than those from a small city. Regression analyses reveal machismo as a significant predictor of stigma tolerance. Qualitative data was collected to provide additional in-depth information. Study results could be used to provide culturally appropriate mental health services.