Influence of Acculturation, Perceptions of Discrimination and Acculturative Stress on Attitudes Toward Seeking Counseling in Mexican American College Students
Influence of Acculturation, Perceptions of Discrimination and Acculturative Stress on Attitudes Toward Seeking Counseling in Mexican American College Students

Author: Cynthia Marie Ramirez

Publisher:

Published: 1994

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Due to the concern of underutilization of counseling services by Mexican Americans, several factors which have been identified in the research (acculturation, stress, and discrimination) were examined in relation to counseling attitudes. Ninety- seven Mexican American university students, who fit the criteria of Mexican American based on self identification participated in the study. All students were administered five measures which included the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans, a cultural commitment scale, the Hispanic Stress Inventory, the Perceptions of Discrimination Scale, and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale. The purpose of the study was to explore the roles of acculturation, discrimination, and acculturative stress in relation to attitudes toward counseling for Mexican American college students and to further contribute to our understanding and knowledge of racism and its impact on ethnic minorities in counseling. Subjects were divided into high and low groups on measures of acculturation, acculturative stress, and perceptions of discrimination which was based on scores above and below the medians of instruments assessing these variables. Those who indicated experiencing higher levels of acculturative stress and perceptions of discrimination had overall more favorable attitudes toward seeking counseling than did those experiencing lower levels of acculturative stress and perceptions of discrimination. Women consistently had more favorable attitudes toward counseling than men based on the Need and Confidence subscales of the ATSPPH. The results of the Multiple Regression Analysis showed that discriminatory behaviors and attributes were significant predictors of overall Attitudes toward seeking psychological help. No significant differences were found between levels of acculturation and attitudes toward seeking counseling or between levels of cultural commitment and attitudes toward seeking counseling.

Hispanics' Attitudes Toward Seeking Counseling as a Function of Psychosocial and Demographic Variables
Hispanics' Attitudes Toward Seeking Counseling as a Function of Psychosocial and Demographic Variables

Author: Angela Patricia Rojas-Vilches

Publisher:

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 74

ISBN-13:

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Using variables identified in the social science literature believed to influence attitudes toward seeking professional counseling, an attempt was made to develop a model for predicting Hispanics' willingness to obtain professional help. A second purpose of this study was to compare college students (n = 158) with their parents on their attitudes toward mental illness and toward seeking counseling. Among predictor variables, social stigma and the belief that mental illnesses are untreatable were the primary variables predicting attitudes toward seeking counseling. The more college students and their parents perceived there to be social stigma attached to those seeking therapy, and the more parents believed that mental illnesses are untreatable, the less favorable attitudes they had about seeking professional help. These attitudes were linked to their acculturation levels; in general, the more acculturated they were toward the Hispanic culture, the more pejorative their attitudes were toward mental illness and their willingness to seek professional help. Last, college students in general had significantly more positive attitudes toward mental illness and professional counseling than their parents. Recommendations for providing counseling with Hispanic clients are provided in the context of the present findings.

Understanding Help-seeking Behavior in College Students of Mexican Origin who are Suffering from Anxious And/or Depressive Symptoms
Understanding Help-seeking Behavior in College Students of Mexican Origin who are Suffering from Anxious And/or Depressive Symptoms

Author: Fabian Aguirre

Publisher:

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 268

ISBN-13:

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This study sought to understand why college students of Mexican origin underutilize mental health services (i.e., university counseling services). Previous research has identified several potential reasons for the underutilization of mental health services by Mexican Americans. These reasons can be grouped into one of three categories: (1) negative attitudes toward mental illness and mental health services, (2) greater use of alternative, informal resources, and (3) barriers. To examine these factors in the context of help-seeking behavior, Ajzen's theory of planned behavior (TPB) was used. The TPB assumes that the best predictor of a certain behavior is an individual's intention to perform that specific behavior. This model includes three determinants of the intent to perform a certain behavior: (1) attitudes toward the behavior, (2) subjective normative beliefs about performing the behavior, and (3) perceived behavioral control of performing the behavior. The primary aim of this study was to examine the meditating effects of culture on the TPB and investigate the unique factors contributing to help-seeking behavior in college students of Mexican origin reporting anxious and/or depressive symptoms. Results showed that the TPB was effective in predicting help-seeking behavior, with attitudes and subjective normative beliefs as the strongest predictors. Acculturation and cultural values did not mediate the TPB model as originally predicted, however the TPB determinants differed in predictability between help-seekers and non help-seekers. Specifically, among help-seekers, attitudes predicted intent to seek psychological services; among non help-seekers, subjective normative beliefs predicted intent. Help-seekers also reported more ease than non help-seekers on a few of the steps toward help-seeking. Lastly, qualitative measures supported findings based on the TPB and provided additional support for the strong stigmatizing views among college students of Mexican origin. These findings suggest that non help-seekers are a complex group and other variables, such as acculturative stress, perceived social support, and screening participants on perceived symptom distress and impairment, need to be addressed. In addition, subjective normative beliefs need to be considered in the development of psychoeducational interventions which encourage seeking psychological services for individuals of Mexican origin experiencing significant anxious or depressive symptoms.

Counseling Across Cultures
Counseling Across Cultures

Author: Paul B. Pedersen

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Published: 2015-01-14

Total Pages: 585

ISBN-13: 1506309895

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Offering a primary focus on North American cultural and ethnic diversity while addressing global questions and issues, Counseling Across Cultures, Seventh Edition draws on the expertise of 48 invited contributors to examine the cultural context of accurate assessment and appropriate interventions in counseling diverse clients. The book’s chapters highlight work with African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos/as, American Indians, refugees, individuals in marginalized situations, international students, those with widely varying religious beliefs, and many others. Edited by pioneers in multicultural counseling, this volume articulates the positive contributions that can be achieved when multicultural awareness is incorporated into the training of counselors.