Main description:

Depression ranks as a leading mental health problem among Hispanic immigrants and their US-born children. And a wide array of issues - starting with the widespread stereotype of the "illegal immigrant" - makes the Latino experience of this condition differ from that of any other group. Depression in Latinos consolidates the conceptual, diagnostic, and clinical knowledge based on this salient topic, providing coverage from prevalence to prevention, from efficient screening to effective interventions.

In this concise yet comprehensive volume, leading clinicians, researchers, and academics offer extensive research and clinical findings, literature reviews (e.g., an in-depth chapter on the Mexican American Prevalence and Services Survey), and insights gathered from first-hand experience in clinical practice. Perceptive information is offered on the most urgent and complex issues on depression in this diverse and dynamic population, including: (1) The impact language, culture, and societal factors have on depression and its diagnosis. (2) The most relevant assessment instruments. (3) How depression manifests among Latino children, youth, and seniors as well as in Latinas. (4) The relationship between depression and substance abuse. (5) The most effective evidence-based treatment methods. (6) The efficacy of interventions for depression at the community level.

Depression in Latinos is vital reading for clinicians, counseling and school psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, and public health professionals interested in providing their Hispanic clients with the most effective treatment possible. In addition, its coverage of the broader issues of access to care makes this volume essential reading for mental health administrators, volunteer/outreach agencies, and policymakers.

Contents:

Forward.- Section 1: Sociodemographic, Epidemiological, Linguistic and Cultural Factors in Depression in Latinos.- The Context of Depression in Latinos in the United States.- Latino Population Demographics, Risk Factors and Depression: A Case Study of the Mexican American Prevalence and Services Survey.- Descriptive Epidemiology of Depression in Latin America and Hispanics in the US: Preliminary Results from the World Mental Health Surveys.- Comorbidity: Depression and Substance Abuse.- Cultural Considerations in the Diagnosis and Classification of Depression: The Hispanic Perspective.- Section 2: Prevention, Screening, Assessment and Diagnosis of Depression.- Prevention of Depression in Latinos.- Assessment of Depression Symptoms: Self-report Paper-and-Pencil and Computerized Questionnaires.- Diagnosis of Depression Among Latino Children and Adults.- Section 3: Treatment of Depression.- Psychosocial Treatments for Depression with Adult Latinos.- Pharmacological Treatment of Depression in Hispanic Americans.- Community-Based Interventions for Depression.- Section 4: Gender and Life-cycle Issues.- Women and Depression: The Influence of Gender in Major Depressive Disorder.- Depression in Latino Children and Adolescents: Prevalence, Prevention, and Treatment.- Epidemiology, Assessment and Treatment of Depression in Older Latinos.- Epilogue.- About the Editors.- About the Contributors.- Indices.