Barriers to Psychosocial Services Use For Latina Versus Non-Latina White Breast Cancer Survivors

Objective: The aims of this study were to compare barriers to use of psychosocial services by Latina versus non-Latina white women who had been diagnosed as having breast cancer and to examine associations between the barriers and use of psychosocial services. Methods: A sample of 265 Latina and non-Latina white women who had received treatment in a comprehensive cancer center in New York City completed a mailed questionnaire. The questionnaire measured quality of life, interest in receiving help for psychological distress, psychosocial services use, and barriers to use of psychosocial services. Bivariate and adjusted logistic regression models were used to analyze the data. Results: More than half of the sample reported preferring to return to their normal routines, felt they could take care of their emotional problems themselves, and preferred to seek support from their family or friends. Latinas were more likely to seek counseling from a spiritual leader, to report that there were no counselors who spoke their language and understood their values or background, and to report that mental health services were too expensive. Conclusions: It is crucial to address the barriers that contribute to health disparities and discrepancies in patient access to and use of psychosocial health care. These findings highlight the need to educate providers about patients' psychosocial needs, provide patients with information about the benefits of psychosocial services, normalize mental health service use, diminish stigma surrounding use of these services, and provide culturally and linguistically sensitive services for Latina patients.