Help-seeking behavior among foreign-born and native-born Mexican Americans

Abstract

For many aspects of help-seeking behavior, generalizations about ethnic minorities obscure important intraethnic variations. This paper examines the distinction between foreign-born and native-born Mexican Americans and its impact on correlated traits which are significant in the help-seeking process: socioeconomic status, level of acculturation, intensity of religious affiliation, the presence of an extensive social support system, and familiarity with public agencies. Two case studies are presented to illustrate differences in the search for help for emotional problems. Intraethnic diversity is demonstrated with regard to attitude toward and availability of potential sources of help, selection of helping agents in times of emotional need, frequency of consultation, and the relationship between ethnicity and mental health.