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The aim of the study was to derive an empirically based definition of cultural sensitivity (CS) using psychologists as participants. In Study 1, nine psychologists were interviewed and asked how th...

Research on the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) with ethnic minorities in the U.S. is limited. Because Latinxs constitute 18% of the U.S. population and are the second largest ethnic group in the coun...

Violence against women continues to be a great concern in today’s society. In the United States, women experience high rates of interpersonal violence throughout their lifetime. Among Latinas, interpersonal violence is also highly prevalent however the wide variation of interpersonal prevalence rates among Latinas is problematic. The aims of this systematic review of the literature were to (1) document the prevalence rates of violence among Latinas, (2) determine the types of violence that Latinas are most impacted by, and (3) assess the prevalence rates of interpersonal across Latina subethnicities. The research was based on seven databases including PsycArticles, PsycCRITIQUES, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, Social Services Abstracts, Social Work Abstracts, and PubMED for articles published from January 2007 up to July 2017. The following key words were used in the search: (Latinas OR Latinos OR Hispanics) AND (victim OR victimization) AND (domestic violence OR intimate partner violence OR Interpersonal Violence). We identified 41 articles in our search that reported rates of interpersonal violence which ranged from 1% to 83% with intimate partner violence and domestic violence being the most prevalent. Interpersonal violence was found to be more prevalent among individuals who identified as Mexican. Based on the findings, it is clear that efforts should be focused on conducting a lager national survey of interpersonal violence among Latinas. It would need to include subethnicity, immigration status, and type of abuse experienced and possibly add socioeconomic factors.

Previously termed social phobia, social anxiety disorder (SAD) is persistent fear and anxiety in one or more social or performance situations in which an individual may be exposed to scrutiny or negative evaluation by others. In the USA it is estimated that about 7% of adults aged 18 years or older had social anxiety in the past year, while about 13% of US adults had experienced SAD in their lifetime. Discrimination and fear of discrimination has been linked to increased symptoms of SAD. Several evidence-based treatments have been adapted to address the specific needs of individuals with SAD, including a cognitive behavioral therapy group focused on addressing the experiences of marginalization. In this chapter we discuss prevalence rates of SAD among different ethnic groups, adapted treatments for working with people with SAD, and describe several guidelines and principles to assist in working with the individuals with SAD.

In the USA, the LGBT community has grown significantly and continues to grow. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals encounter a range of stressors throughout their lifetime. Compared to heterosexuals the LGBT community reports higher prevalence rates of anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, and suicide. Minority stress has been linked to increased psychological distress among sexual minorities, specifically prejudice and discrimination. Several evidence-based treatments have been adapted to address the specific needs of the LGBT community, including addressing minority stress, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy. In this chapter we discuss prevalence’s rates of psychological distress among the LGBT community, adapted treatments for working with LGBT, and describe several guidelines and principles to assist in working with the LGBT community.

Two research questions guided this study. What is the difference, if any, between Latinx and non-Latinx Whites (NLWs) in mental health literacy about depression, depression-related stigma, and lifetime history of behavioral health service use? and Does mental health literacy and depression-related stigma mediate the relationship between ethnicity and lifetime history of behavioral health service use? Data for this cross-sectional study was collected from a primary care clinic. Participants (N = 271) completed measures on mental health literacy and stigma. Results from a multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that Latinxs had lower levels of mental health literacy, higher levels of stigma, and lower lifetime prevalence rates of behavioral health service use. Results from a path analysis indicated that personal stigma partially mediated the relationship between ethnicity and lifetime history of behavioral health service use. Interventions targeting stigma may reduce disparities in behavioral health service utilization.

The Latino population has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing groups in the United States. Among this group, estimates of the prevalence rates of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) have been reported to range from 1% to 11%. While the treatment for GAD has been well researched among the general population, the bulk of this research has not included Spanish speakers. Working with the Spanish-speaking community requires awareness of the diversity of the Latino population and the cultural factors that may impact the presentation of generalized anxiety disorder. This book chapter aims to better prepare providers to work with the Latino community, specifically Spanish-speaking individuals with GAD. In this chapter, an overview of (1) cultural considerations in the presentation of GAD among Latinos, (2) evidence-based practices as they apply to Latinos in general and with regard to GAD specifically, (3) a session plan for treating GAD from an evidence-based perspective, and (4) Spanish language worksheets and tools that can be used in session is provided.