Jose A. Villalba

Factors Contributing to Depression in Latinas of Mexican Origin Residing in the United States: Implications for Nurses

BACKGROUND: Latinas experience more depression and are less likely to receive mental health support than White women or African American women. OBJECTIVE: This article synthesizes the research on depression in adult Latinas of Mexican origin residing in the United States. STUDY DESIGN: MEDLINE (PubMed), The Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and PsycINFO databases for the years 2000 through 2008 were searched using the keywords Latina, Latino, Hispanic, Mexican American, Mexican immigrant, women, and depression. RESULTS: The process of acculturation and associated stressors may have a negative effect on the mental health of women of Mexican origin residing in the United States. Separation from family, harmful interpersonal relationships, unmet economic needs, conflict, and isolation may contribute to depression in this population. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed on the influence of family and economic strain as well as the effectiveness of assessments and interventions for depression in Mexican and Mexican American women, especially for those living in emerging Latina/o immigrant communities. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc, 2008; 14(3), 193–204. DOI: 10.1177/1078390308319034

A psychoeducational group for limited-English proficient Latino/Latina children

Latino /Latina children who are considered to be limited–English proficient may be unwilling participants in unique and difficult personal and school-related experiences. The inherent differences in their native culture and language may lead to special academic placements in English-as-a-second-language programs. Participations in a psychoeducational group may prove beneficial in helping Latino /Latina children deal with their experiences, while offering possible coping strategies for managing potential negative self-concepts and attitudes toward school. A 6-week group counseling intervention is presented for working with limited–English proficient Latino schoolchildren. The intervention may also be useful in nonschool settings.

Depression in Latinas Residing in Emerging Latino Immigrant Communities in the United States

This study examined the ways in which depression affects immigrant Latina women residing in an emerging Latino immigrant community in the United States. Three Spanish-language focus groups were conducted within a community-based participatory research framework. Latina women expressed concerns about their immigration status, separation from family in their native countries, and about finances and inabilities to meet family obligations. They expressed fears for their children in the United States. Their sociopolitical, economic, and familial explanations for depression differ from the individual, biological explanations of depression common today. Implications for policymakers, community organizers, health care providers, public health educators, and school counselors are presented.

Cuento Group Work in Emerging Rural Latino Communities: Promoting Personal–Social Development of Latina/o Middle School Students of Mexican Heritage

The experiences of Latina/o youth in rural emerging Latino communities are largely absent in the literature. This article proposes the benefits of a Cuento group work intervention designed to promote Latina/o student personal–social development. An outline of the group intervention offered to middle school students of Mexican Heritage is provided, in an effort to facilitate replication of the intervention in other emerging Latino communities. Preliminary pilot data on group efficacy also are presented.

A Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy Intervention With Depressed Spanish-Speaking Mexican Women Living in an Emerging Immigrant Community in the United States

This article reports feasibility issues with the implementation of an intervention study for depression in Latina women from Mexico living in an emerging immigrant community in the United States. Based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, the study explores implementation issues such as the intervention and retention, logistical issues such as transportation and childcare, and possible measurement issues such as reliability and validity of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale, Spanish version. Future studies should evaluate the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale, Spanish version, and test the modified cognitive-behavioral group therapy intervention in larger samples and through randomized controlled studies.

Anti-Immigration Rhetoric in the United States: Veiled Racism?

It seems like a day does not go by in the United States without hearing about immigration on televised news broadcasts, print news stories, radio talk shows, or Internet blogs. Immigration, more specifically “illegal immigration,” is a hot topic in the U.S., perhaps fueled by the fact that 2008 is a presidential election year. Furthermore, since the issue of illegal immigration tends to divide constituents into two distinct camps (i.e., those opposed to it and those tolerant of it), political candidates for local school boards and county commission vacancies to gubernatorial and U.S. Congress and Senate seats continuously stir political debate with unfounded sound bites, and quick “facts.” Consequently, much of the immigration rhetoric is anti-immigration. We contend that this anti-immigration sentiment is not a true fervor for the law, but instead is veiled racism. There is no doubt that the U.S. needs to address immigration through immigration reform, but the strong, and at times vitriolic, discussion is eerily similar to the anti-non-White, non-Protestant, rhetoric “discussions” of the past. This type of negative, hateful, sentiment has contributed to a 40% increase in the number of hate groups in the U.S. since 2000 (Southern Poverty Law Center, 2007).

Incorporating wellness into group work in elementary schools

Small group and classroom guidance interventions are commonly used by school counselors to address childrens academic and personal-social development. Specifically, counselors in elementary school settings have used group work to help children prevent, remediate, and cope with a variety of experiences. For young children, the presence of and their reaction to difficult situations may impact their overall wellbeing, or wellness. This article describes how to incorporate a wellness perspective to classroom guidance and small group work.

Therapeutic Interactions to Enhance the Mental Health and Wellness of Dementia Caregivers and Patients

Individuals with dementia and their family caregivers have higher rates of stress and mental health concerns than the general population. Gerontological nurses have unique and valuable opportunities to conduct therapeutic interactions that support the mental health and well-being of patients and family members. Information regarding dementia patient and family caregiver stressors are presented, followed by engaging strategies for opening therapeutic conversations about these topics. Ways in which gerontological nurses can facilitate coping skills and strengths identification are also outlined.

Increasing Healthy Behaviors in Adolescents of Mexican Heritage in Rural Emerging Latino Communities: Results from a School-Based Health Intervention Pilot Study

The rapid Latino population growth in emerging Latino communities (EmLCs) presents a challenge to health care providers as most current health interventions and health promotion programs intended for Latinas/os are based on characteristics of established Latino communities (EsLCs). This study addresses the gap in the literature by modifying and testing the beginning efficacy of a school-based health intervention for adolescents of Mexican heritage in a rural EmLC. Seventy adolescents of Mexican heritage attending a rural middle school participated in the intervention. Paired samples t-tests were performed to determine differences between healthy behaviors at post-intervention compared to pre-intervention. Significant improvements in participants’ physical activity and healthy eating were observed between pre-intervention and post-intervention. A school-based health intervention designed to increase healthy behaviors of adolescents of Mexican heritage in a rural EmLC was successful.

Children, Adolescents, and Isolated Traumatic Events: Counseling Considerations for Couples and Family Counselors:

This article presents considerations for marriage and family counselors assisting children and adolescent clients who have witnessed or survived an isolated traumatic event or who have family members who have witnessed or survived an isolated traumatic event. Direct emotional outcomes in children and teens related to isolated traumatic events, such as separation anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, also are presented. In addition, specific clinical interventions—including the use of play therapy, psychoeducational groups, and cognitive-behavioral therapy—are presented as specific methods for assisting children and teenagers coping with traumatic events in a variety of settings.