Older Mexican-Americans’ help seeking behaviors: The Influence of The Family Regarding Mental

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe how the family influences older Mexican- Americans’ help seeking behaviors regarding mental health care service utilization along the South Texas-Mexico border. Disparities in access and use of health and mental health services have led Latinos to be disproportionately represented among those most at-risk for chronic health and mental health illnesses and less likely to receive guideline congruent care. Research on mental health service utilization has documented the presence of economic, cultural, and structural barriers that contribute to the under utilization of health services by Latinos. Researchers conducted three focus groups with 25 mental health professionals in the South Texas-Mexico border region. Researchers followed a semi-structured question list and probed for detail from group participants. Kleinman’s Explanatory Model (1980) guided the question list. The researchers used ethnographic content analysis to analyze the transcripts. Findings revealed that family members play a significant role in Mexican American older adults’ help seeking behaviors and accessing mental health services. Family members played different roles including serving as informants, providing transportation, assisting with discharge planning as well as others.