Social Ties, Age, and Self-Identification of Mental Health Services Needs Among Latino Older Adults

Background and Purpose: This study examined age differences in social ties with family or friends on perceptions about having a mental health condition and needing mental health services among Latino older adults. The Latino population aged 65 years and older will increase 224 percent by 2030 (U.S. Administration on Aging). Yet, there is a large unmet need for mental health services within the Latino older adult population living in the U. S. (Rockeymoore Cummings, 2011; Vega & Lopez, 2001). Previous research has explored the importance and benefits of social ties on health (Kawachi & Berkman, 2000). However, few have examined it comparing older groups with younger counterparts and different types of social ties in relation to mental health in Latinos (Mulvaney-Day, Alegria & Sribney, 2007). Methods: We used logistic regression to examine relationships between social ties and identifying a problem as well as perceived need for formal mental health services among a national sample of community-dwelling individuals data from the National Latino and Asian American Survey ( N=16,772,343) . Further, we compared Latinos 30-54 years of age with those 55 or older.

Results: The findings point out that there are significant age differences in perceptions about having a mental health condition and needing mental health services among Latino older adults. The younger Latino cohorts were twice as likely to identify having a problem and more likely to perceive a need for formal care (p<.05). Yet, family cohesion has overarching effects on both cohorts. Both young and old who frequently contact and tell family about problems were less likely to identify having a problem or perceive a need for formal mental health services (p<.05). The results also show that for both young and old cohorts talking with friends increased the likelihood of identifying a mental health problem and perceive a need for formal services (p<.05). In contrast, reliance on friends has a similar effect as contact with family resulting in a decreased likelihood of identifying a problem or the need for formal services. In sum, given the particular importance of family ties and close friends among Latinos, awareness about mental health issues should have a broader focus on family and friends as network paths to identifying mental illness and the need for formal care. Mental health literacy interventions should target family oriented communication strategies. Future policy may consider alternative approaches embedding family-oriented mental health interventions in existing senior services units within Latino communities that already provide culturally appropriate care. Future studies of perceived mental health need should further explore age differences in relation to individual perceptions of mental illness and treatment as well as the influence of social networks within Latino subgroups.