Hispanic Health Care International

Certain factors influence sexual risk behaviors among gay and bisexual Hispanic men (GBHM). Childhood sexual abuse, one component of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), influences sexual risk behaviors among GBHM. Little is known about the association between ACEs, sexual risk behaviors and suicidal behaviors among GBHM; therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of these variables.

A cross-sectional design was used. Participants completed standardized measures of ACEs (ACEs Scale), sexual risk behaviors (Behavioral Risk Assessment Test [BRAT]), and a demographic questionnaire that included questions about suicidal behavior. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square analysis.

Total ACEs ranged from 0–10 (M = 2.47, SD ± 2.46); 37.6% (n = 21) reported ACEs total scores ≥4, indicating increased physiological/psychological health risks. Several sexual risk behaviors were reported. Total ACEs scores ≥4 were associated with sexual risk behaviors, a lifetime history of suicidal behavior, and a self-reported HIV positive antibody status.

This study provided evidence that ACEs may be associated with sexual risk behaviors and suicidal behaviors among GBHM. More research with a larger sample is needed. Clinicians should consider incorporating ACEs screening during healthcare encounters with GBHM. This information could be used to discuss sexual and suicidal risk reduction and may be integrated into interventions for GBHM.

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias affect Latino older adults who are living longer with dementia. Puerto Ricans are the second-largest Hispanic group in the United States, and they differ in language, norms, and values from other cultures. As the number of dementia cases increases, the demand for caregivers will rise.

The integrative review was guided by Whittemore and Knafl's framework and aimed to evaluate and synthesize the existing literature regarding the experience, beliefs, and values of Puerto Rican dementia family caregivers. A comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and LILACS databases was performed to examine the literature from 2013 to 2025.

Four key themes emerged: (1) spirituality is essential for caregiving, (2) home is a better place to be, (3) toll of caregiving, and (4) long-established gender roles.

The findings demonstrate the scarcity of Puerto Rican caregiver representation in the literature. Further research is needed to determine Puerto Rican values and beliefs regarding caregiving.

Latinas in the U.S. experience higher rates of sleep disturbances and shorter sleep durations compared to non-Hispanic White women. This study employed community-engaged research methods to explore sleep-related knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors within the Latina socio-cultural context, utilizing insights from focus groups with Latina community health workers (CHWs).

CHWs served on a community advisory board (CAB) to develop focus group questions addressing sleep among diverse women. CHWs from four racial/ethnic groups, including Latinas, conducted three focus groups. CAB members facilitated participant recruitment and focus groups. Thematic analysis guided coding of emergent themes. We conducted sessions in Spanish and were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed collaboratively.

Thirty-one Latinas participated, revealing four overarching cultural themes influencing sleep behaviors: (1) Familismo, prioritizing family needs over personal well-being; (2) Marianismo, self-sacrifice and duty to maternal and spousal roles, often neglecting sleep; (3) Confianza, the importance of trust, particularly in healthcare relationships; and (4) Self-reliance, addressing sleep concerns through culturally accepted solutions.

Findings underscore the connection between culture and sleep-health behaviors, highlighting the necessity of culturally sensitive interventions. CHWs demonstrated confidence in advocating for sleep health within their communities. Building trust with CHWs facilitated actionable insights for future development of effective sleep interventions.

There is evidence of the relationship between psychosocial distress and elevated blood glucose levels. However, data in the Dominican Republic is limited. The study aims to measure the prevalence of four types of psychosocial distress, assess their associations with A1c levels and stratify these associations by gender among rural Dominican adults with diabetes.

Between June-July 2023, 501 diabetes patients participated in a cross-sectional survey measuring psychosocial distress (e.g., diabetes distress, depressive symptoms, acute stress, anxiety). Descriptive analyses were conducted to determine prevalence of psychosocial distress, linear regression was run on psychosocial distress and A1c levels, and logistic regression was run to examine psychosocial distress levels by gender.

Participants reported mild-to-moderate levels of psychosocial distress. Almost a fifth of participants reported high levels of depressive symptoms (20.2%) and acute stress (22.0%). Only diabetes distress was significantly associated with A1c levels (b = 0.037, SE = 0.009, p = 0.001). Men were significantly less likely to report moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (OR:2.35; CI:1.51–3.66), anxiety (OR:3.07; CI:1.52–6.19), and acute stress (OR:2.13; CI:1.51–3.66) than women.

Prevalence of psychosocial distress varies by type, and severity varies by gender. Diabetes distress is associated with diabetes outcomes. Findings highlight the importance of addressing psychological distress and mental health in the context of diabetes care.

Low-income individuals with a history of international migration are at risk for poor mental health due to social and economic adversity. This study examined associations of neighborhood adversity with depression and anxiety symptoms and explored whether social support moderated this relationship in a low-income U.S.-Mexico border population.

This study recruited U.S-Mexico border residents in Tijuana, Mexico. Neighborhood adversity was measured using a validated scale with five subscales. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale. Social support was measured using the 12-item Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. Multivariable linear regression models examined the associations of neighborhood adversity with depression and anxiety symptoms.

Participants (N=206) were 77% male and 76% reported history of prior migration to the U.S. Prevalence of clinically significant depression and anxiety symptoms were 37% and 33%, respectively. Individuals with higher neighborhood adversity had higher depression (B=0.051, CI=(0.011–0.091) and (B=0.045, CI=(0.004–0.086) anxiety symptoms. Poorer aesthetic quality was associated with depression and anxiety symptoms, and higher crime/unsafety was associated with anxiety symptoms. Social support did not moderate these relationships.

Neighborhood adversity is a potentially modifiable correlate of poor mental health in low-income individuals along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Disparities in hospice utilization and perceptions of hospice quality persist among Hispanic subgroups. Underserved populations and their caregivers need improved access to high-quality end-of-life services. Puerto Ricans constitute the second-largest Hispanic population in the U.S., so examining their caregiving hospice experience is essential. Here, we describe developing and testing an innovative four-episode telenovela video based on the Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD) model.

This single-arm clinical trial examined the preliminary outcomes, feasibility, and acceptability of culturally tailored videos for Puerto Rican hospice caregivers. Measures included caregivers’ preparedness and knowledge scores before and after watching a four-episode telenovela video and the helpfulness of each video (Likert scale; open-ended questions). We used descriptive statistics and content analysis.

Participants (N = 10) were mostly Puerto Rican female (n = 8) caregivers, average age 68 years. Caregivers’ total preparedness and knowledge scores increased after watching the telenovela. The video was well-received for its helpfulness, compassionate guidance, and normalization of end-of-life stages.

This pilot study supports the idea that culturally tailored telenovelas can benefit Puerto Rican home hospice caregivers. We noted positive effects on preparedness, knowledge, and helpfulness. Participants perceived the content as culturally sensitive and educational, yet emotionally challenging, underscoring the nuanced responsibility of caregiving.

Various forms of acculturative stress and resiliency factors have been associated with depressive symptoms among Latino/a/e emerging adult (EA) immigrants. However, studies have generally not accounted for college attendance status, which may differentially expose immigrants to U.S. institutions. To address this gap, we examine relationships among acculturative stress, resiliency factors, and depressive symptoms among Latino/a/e emerging adult (EA) immigrants, considering college attendance status.

Using cross-sectional data from a study of Latino/a/e immigrant health in the Southeastern United States, we examined relationships between self-reported acculturative stress, resiliency factors, and depressive symptoms, as well as differences by college attendance status. Our sample included Latino/a/e EA immigrants (n = 66), who averaged 22.5 years old and 11 years living in the United States. Most were female (64%), from Mexico (39.4%), and attended college (64%).

Discrimination-, occupational/economic-, family-, and immigration-related acculturative stress were positively associated with depressive symptoms, while social support and ethnic pride were negatively associated with depressive symptoms for the whole sample. College attendees experienced higher discrimination stress compared to non-college attendees.

There is a need for strategies to mitigate experiences with interpersonal discrimination and structural racism within higher education for Latino/a/e EAs.