Presentation
Understanding perceptions of physical and mental health in Hispanic/Latinx immigrants managing chronic diseases
9th Annual PROMIS International Conference: PROMIS Health Organization
(2023)
Abstract
Objectives: People who immigrate from their home country may be at a disproportionately higher risk for poor health due to inconsistent food access, documentation status, and limited access to health care and social support. A paucity of literature exists surrounding perceptions of physical and mental wellbeing in immigrant Hispanic/Latinx adults managing chronic diseases. The primary objective of this project is to strengthen the understanding of the intersection between physical, social, emotional, and mental health within an (im)migrant Hispanic/Latinx community using the PROMIS Scale V 1.2– Global Health instrument and semi-structured ethnographic interviews. Methods: Utilizing community-based participatory research practices to understand appropriate nutrition interventions for patients managing hypertension, a 21-question survey was administered to 58 participants (46 women, 12 men) self-identifying as Hispanic/Latinx at a community health clinic in St. Paul, MN, US. Social determinants of health were assessed via the Phenx demographic toolkit, PROMIS Scale V 1.2– Global Health instrument, and the USDA 6-item food security screener. Supporting data was obtained from 13 ethnographic interviews regarding perceptions of physical, mental/emotional, spiritual and social health related to nutrition. Themes were determined via the Framework Method. Survey data was assessed via the Adult Global Health Scoring Manual. Results: Low to marginal food security was reported in 50.7% of participants. The mean (standard deviation) T-score for Global Mental Health was 48.7(3.7) and for Global Physical Health, 47.9(4.5), a difference of 1.3 and 2.1 from the US reference population. Analysis of distribution shows raw scores with highly variable responses. Themes on health perceptions show some participants prioritized one dimension of health, 85% noted the intersection of physical, mental, spiritual, and social health, suggesting one dimension was not valued over another. Moreover, food was relayed as an important component to health.
Conclusions: In this (im)migrant community, we found a positive perceived health status, which was reflected in Global Mental Health and Global Physical Health scores slightly below the US reference T-scores. These results will inform community health nutrition interventions to best support holistic health for the community.
Disciplines
Publication Date
October, 2023
Location
Banff, Canada
Citation Information
Ambria Crusan, Kat Zamarripa and Clara Godoy-Henderson. "Understanding perceptions of physical and mental health in Hispanic/Latinx immigrants managing chronic diseases" 9th Annual PROMIS International Conference: PROMIS Health Organization (2023) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ambria-crusan/36/