Mental health care preferences among low-income and minority women

Mental health care preferences are examined among 1,893 low-income immigrant and U.S.-born women with an acknowledged emotional problem (mean age=29.1, SD=89.6). Ethnicity, depression, somatization, and stigma are examined as they relate to mental health care preferences (medication, individual and group counseling, faith, family/friends). Seventy-eight percent of participants counseling would be helpful; 55%; group counseling; and 32% medication. Faith was cited by 81%; family and friends were endorsed by 65%. Minorities had lower odds than Whites of endorsing medication (Black immigrants: OR=0.27, p < 0.001, U.S.-born Blacks: OR=0.30, p < 0.001, immigrant Latinas: OR=0.50, p < 0.01). Most minorities also had higher odds of endorsing faith compared to Whites (Black immigrants: OR=3.62, p < 0.001; U.S.-born Blacks, OR=3.85, p < 0.001; immigrant Latinas: OR=9.76, p < 0.001). Being depressed was positively associated with endorsing medication (OR=1.93, p < 0.001), individual counseling (OR=2.66, p < 0.001), and group counseling (OR=1.35, p < 0.01). Somatization was positively associated with endorsing medication (OR=1.29, p < 0.05) and faith (OR=1.37, p < 0.05). Stigma-concerns reduced the odds of endorsing group counseling (OR=0.58, p < 0.001). Finally, being in mental health treatment was related to increased odds of endorsing medication (OR=3.88, p < 0.001) and individual counseling (OR=2.29, p=0.001).