Disclosing psychiatric diagnosis to close others: a cultural framework based on older Latin@s participating in a depression trial in Los Angeles county

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this qualitative study is to explore disclosure of depression diagnosis to close others among older adult Latinas/Latinos (Latin@s) recruited from an urban health care system specializing in low-cost community health services in Los Angeles County.

Method: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 35 older Latinos who participated in an NIMH-funded randomized depression trial.

Results: Psychiatric disclosure is a dynamic, multidimensional, and culturally ladened experience that entails weighing in on interrelated factors. This study presents a cultural framework of depression disclosure that highlights 15 facilitators and barriers which were organized into three intrinsic and relational domains: (a) individual emotional and support needs; (b) personal characteristics of the recipient of the disclosure; and (c) quality of the interpersonal interactions between the patient and recipient.

Conclusion: Knowledge of Latin@ older adults’ perspectives and experiences with depression disclosure can inform strategies to support older Latin@s facing the dilemma of disclosure.

Keywords:

• Depression
• disclosure
• latino
• older adults
• cultural framework

Acknowledgments

We appreciate the participants in our study who demonstrated the confianza to disclose their life story.

Disclosure statement

Authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health under Grant number 5 R2I MH080624-2.