Psychosocial and Cultural Characteristics Predicting Positive and Negative Attitudes Toward Psychological Services among Latino Immigrants

The present study examined how psychosocial and cultural factors were related to Latino adults' attitudes toward psychological services among 152 Latino immigrant adults (M-age = 40.42, SD = 14.15). Using hierarchical regression models, the present study examined social (gender, insurance status, and English proficiency), cultural (personalismo, fatalismo, familismo, religiosity), and psychological/mental health (anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, alcohol use, drug use, and trauma history) factors that are related to Latinos' positive and negative attitudes toward psychological services. Results revealed that the women, those with more trauma histories, those with more drug use, and those who endorsed more familismo reported more positive attitudes toward psychological services. On the other hand, those with health care insurance and those with more alcohol use reported more negative attitudes toward psychological services. No other significant relations were found. These findings suggest specific characteristics that influence Latino immigrants' attitudes toward psychological services.