Ethnic, Economic, and Social Psychological Factors in the Source of Medical Care

Research into the utilization of services is important theoretically as well as practically. From a review of the literature bearing on the use of health services, it may be seen that three alternative models of the determinants of such behavior emerge: 1) unequal access; 2) culture of poverty; 3) cultural and social psychological differences related to ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Data are presented on source of medical care for an area probability sample of Los Angeles County. These data indicate that complex cultural factors are important determinants of this aspect of the utilization of services. The implications of these findings for pluralism in the organization of services are discussed.