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Syracuse University

Mental Health Service Use Disparities Among Latinx Communities: An Intersectional Examination of The Role of Skin Color, Acculturative Stress, Racial Discrimination, And Mental Health Literacy

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>This study utilized logistic and hierarchical regression to examine the impact of skin color, acculturative stress, mental health literacy, and experiences of racial discrimination on the lifetime use of mental health services through an intersectional lens. More specifically, the current study examined the Latinx ethnic identity, US-born status, across the skin color spectrum to better understand mental health service use disparities. Participants' (n = 173) mental health service use was measured at two levels, first, the overall number of hours of sessions attended and second overall hours of sessions of specific types of mental health services attended. Results indicated skin color was the only predictor associated with lifetime mental health service use among a sample of US-born Latinx individuals while acculturative stress, mental health literacy, and experiences of racial discrimination were associated with the use of specific types of mental health services. The findings suggest that for US-born Latinxs service use patterns differ based on skin color. Implications are discussed for US-born Latinx adults, mental health counselors, counselor educators, researchers, and policymakers. Recommendations for future research are provided.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Counseling and Human Services
Year
2022

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Dipre Montes De Oca, Kirsis Allennys
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Luke, Melissa

Subjects

dc:subject × 12

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://surface.syr.edu/etd/1488
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:surface.syr.edu:etd-2489

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Syracuse University
Base URL
surface.syr.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Dipre Montes De Oca, Kirsis Allennys. Mental Health Service Use Disparities Among Latinx Communities: An Intersectional Examination of The Role of Skin Color, Acculturative Stress, Racial Discrimination, And Mental Health Literacy. Dissertation thesis, 2022. https://surface.syr.edu/etd/1488