Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Original Publication Date
2020
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Counseling Psychology Conference
Date of Submission
August 2020
Abstract
As Latinxs acculturate to the U.S. (i.e., changes and transfer of customs from the host culture1 ), they may have more positive attitudes towards psychological healthcare utilization .2 Religious fatalism, the belief that an individual’s health is predetermined by a higher power, has also been shown to be associated with healthcare utilization, such that individuals who endorse higher religious fatalism have more negative attitudes and less health care utilization.3 Thus, acculturations’ association on healthcare utilization may be heavily influenced through religious fatalism; however, little is known about Latinxs specifically. Using a community sample of 102 (63 females and 39 males, Mage= 33.3, SD =10.67) participants, this study examines acculturation and religious fatalism as a contribution to the discussion of utilization of health services among Latinxs. We therefore used the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale,4 the Religious Health Fatalism Questionnaire (RHFQ),5 and the Attitudes Towards Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPH).6 Results revealed that higher levels of acculturation are significantly and negatively correlated with religious fatalism (r= -.216, p < .05). Additionally, lower levels of religious fatalism are significantly and positively correlated with attitudes towards healthcare utilization (r = -.308, p < .01). Finally, there was no significant correlation between acculturation and attitudes towards psychological healthcare utilization (r= .039, p > .05). Therefore, as Latinx’s acculturate to the U.S, they are more likely to have positive attitudes towards seeking psychological care through the indirect relationships of religious fatalism. Our findings promote awareness among counseling psychologists ultimately advocating for culturally sensitive constructs like acculturation and religious fatalism, providing services that are more culturally sensitive.
Moreno, O., Nelson T., & Cardemil, C. (2017) Religiosity and attitudes towards professional mental health services: analysing religious coping as a mediator among Mexican origin Latinas/os in the southwest United States, Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 20:7, 626-637, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2017.1372735
Wallace, P. M., Pomery, E. A., Latimer, A. E., Martinez, J. L., & Salovey, P. (2010). A Review of Acculturation Measures and Their Utility in Studies Promoting Latino Health. Hispanic journal of behavioral sciences, 32(1), 37–54. https://doi.org/10.1177/0739986309352341
Moreno, O., & Cardemil, E. (2018). Religiosity and well-being among Mexican-born and U.S.-born Mexicans: A qualitative investigation. Journal of Latina/o Psychology, 6(3), 235–247. https://doi.org/10.1037/lat0000099
Anastasia, E. A., & Bridges, A. J. (2015). Understanding Service Utilization Disparities and Depression in Latinos: The Role of Fatalismo. Journal of immigrant and minority health, 17(6), 1758–1764. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0196-y
Is Part Of
VCU Psychology Publications