Ethnic Identity, Acculturation, and 12-Month Psychiatric Service Utilization Among Black and Hispanic Adults in the U.S.

Burnett-Zeigler I, Lee Y, Bohnert KM. Ethnic Identity, Acculturation, and 12-Month Psychiatric Service Utilization Among Black and Hispanic Adults in the U.S. The journal of behavioral health services & research. 2018 Jan 1; 45(1):13-30.

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Abstract:

A cross-sectional study design was used to examine the associations of ethnic identity, acculturation, and psychiatric service utilization among Wave 2 respondents of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol Related Conditions with 12-month psychiatric disorders who self-identified as Black (6587, 19%) and Hispanic (6359, 18%). Weighted multivariable regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between ethnic identity, acculturation, and 12-month psychiatric service utilization. Stronger ethnic identity was associated with decreased odds of using psychiatric services among Black (AOR  =  0.956; CI  =  0.923-0.991) and Hispanic individuals (AOR  =  0.967; CI  =  0.945-0.990). Greater acculturation was associated with an increased odds of psychiatric service utilization for Hispanic individuals (AOR  =  1.025; CI  =  1.000-1.050). These findings suggest that a sense of pride, belonging, and attachment to one's racial/ethnic group and participating in ethnic behaviors is associated with lower rates of participation in psychiatric services; alternatively, acquiring key elements of the U.S. culture is associated with greater participation in psychiatric services.