Latino Immigrant Men's Perceptions of Depression and Attitudes Toward Help Seeking

Perceptions of depression, attitudes toward depression treatments, help-seeking preferences, and perceived barriers to care were examined in a sample of 56 Latino immigrant men recruited from a primary health care clinic. Each participant was presented a vignette depicting an individual with major depression. Men described the vignette as a debilitating condition caused by social stressors that would improve with time. Men preferred counseling over medications and reported misconceptions about antidepressants. Faith in God and seeking help from family members were seen as important help-seeking strategies. Structural and financial barriers were prevalent among this sample of men. Implications for improving depression care for Latino immigrant men are discussed.