Describing Latinos Families and Their Help-Seeking Attitudes: Challenging the Family Therapy Literature

• Published in: Contemporary family therapy Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 155 - 172
• Main Authors: Maria Bermúdez, J., Kirkpatrick, Dwight R., Hecker, Lorna, Torres-Robles, Carmen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.06.2010
• Subjects: Attitudes; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Family; Family therapy; Fatalism; Helpseeking; Latin American people; Original Paper; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Social Work; Sociology; Spiritualism; Family therapy; Latinos; Stereotypes; Familism; Personalism
• ISSN: 0892-2764; 1573-3335
• DOI: 10.1007/s10591-009-9110-x

Latinos comprise a diverse ethnic group in the United States, yet central concepts describing Latinos persist. The purpose of this study was to assess the degree to which Latinos agree with the statements found in the marriage and family therapy (MFT) literature used to describe Latinos and Latino families, as well as their help-seeking attitudes and experiences. Research questions were derived from five constructs used to describe Latinos: familism, personalism, sense of hierarchy, spiritualism, and fatalism (Ho in Family therapy with ethnic minorities. Sage, Newbury, CA, 1987 ; Ho et al. in Family therapy with ethnic minorities, (2nd ed.). Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, 2004 ). Overall, participants agreed with most of the statements pertaining to familism and personalism . However, mixed results were found for the constructs related to sense of hierarchy, spiritualism, and fatalism, as well as for participants’ help-seeking attitudes and behaviors. Latinos in this sample sought mental health professionals. However, MFTs were not sought as frequently as psychiatrists, psychologists, and clergy.