Consideration of Psychosocial Stress in the Treatment of the Latina Immigrant

Abstract

Psychotherapeutic approaches aimed at the growing population of Latina immigrants are slow to develop. This paper reviews extant literature on the provision of mental health services to Latinas while at the same time proposing that mental health services incorporate a psychosocial component. Latina immigrants are faced with multiple pre-migration stressors including the loss of family and familiar surroundings, as well as post-migration stressors associated with culture change. These psychosocial stressors are addressed within the context of providing mental health services and case studies are used to highlight critical points. Mental health professionals are challenged by the multiple needs and various expectations presented by the Latina immigrant client and this paper hopes to provide baseline information on the psychosocial stressors, needs and expectations most often seen in treating these women.