CULTURE, SYMPTOM EXPRESSION, AND HELP-SEEKING ATTITUDES AMONG LATINE COLLEGE STUDENTS

The Latine* population in the United States is rapidly growing. Latines, especially Latine college students, are at particularly high risk for psychopathology. Despite this, Latine college students tend to underutilize mental health services compared to other ethnic groups. This study examined cultural factors that may affect psychological help-seeking attitudes and somatic psychological symptoms in a sample of Latine college students. In particular, this study examined the influence of family obligation stress, Latine cultural values, and gender on psychological help-seeking attitudes and psychological symptom somatization. Significant relationships between family obligation stress, adherence to traditional Latine values, and gender were found for psychological help-seeking attitudes and somatic psychological symptoms. Understanding these factors may aid college health professionals in designing mental health outreach programs and culturally sensitive treatment for Latine collegiates. The results of this study may be particularly beneficial for mental health administrators and providers at institutions serving Latine students. Tailoring mental health programs to better fit the views and needs of Latine college students may lead to higher mental health service utilization and improved mental health overall for a population that is at high risk for psychopathology.

*Latine is an alternate gender-neutral term for Latinx that is possible to conjugate in Spanish and English.