Stigma towards mental health disorders is pervasive across all cultures. This is also true among Hispanics. Hispanic patients may view mental health problems as a sign of weakness, and these problems may carry stigma. Consequently, physical symptoms may be a more appropriate conduit for support. Hispanics have a high incidence of mental health problems, particularly depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. A major contributing factor involves the stressors of cultural transition caused by immigration, acculturation, and biculturalism. These stressors are often manifest in feelings of irritability, anxiety, helplessness, and despair. Hispanics may mourn the loss of family, friends, language, and culturally determined values and attitudes. These reactions are not signs of individual pathology, but rather normal responses to the often-disruptive process of change.

Stressors

Several stressors are related to social adjustment to the dominant culture which affect several generations of Hispanics. Three stressors are:

• Acculturative stress, most typically felt by immigrants who are faced with the turmoil of leaving their homeland and adapting to a new society.

• Socioeconomic stress, often experienced by ethnic minorities who feel disempowered because of inadequate financial resources and limited social class standing.

• Minority stress, which refers to the tensions that minorities encounter resulting from racism.

Although some overlap exists among these stressors, they are conceptually distinct forces and often require specific coping strategies. Each stressor influences the quality of life and mental health of nonwhites regardless of immigration status.

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