Gasparillo, Evelyn (2015) Measuring Barriers to Access Mental Health Services in Salvadorians: Predicting Depression. Coursework Masters thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Latin American migrants in general seek help less often than Western people for their mental health needs. This research focused on the Salvadorian people and the difficulties they face that prevent them from seeking help from mental health services. Two studies with Salvadorian migrant people living in Brisbane were conducted. Study 1 describes the development and preliminary psychometric evaluation of the 16-item Barriers to Mental Health Services Scale (BMHSS). The measure was developed to assess reasons Salvadorians perceive for not seeking professional help for mental health problems. The content of the scale was derived through interview and focus groups. Subsequent use of standard translation processes to develop comparable English and Spanish versions was conducted. Exploratory factor analyses of the BMHSS revealed a 3-factor solution of internally consistent subscales, including Cultural and Psychotherapeutic Barriers, Reliance on Others and Language Barriers, and Knowledge and Stigma Barriers. Evidence of construct validity of the three factors of the BMHSS and measures of depression (DASS21) and acculturation (SASH) were obtained. Test-retest reliability (twoweek interval) was found to be adequate. In Study 2, hierarchical regressions shown that only one of the factors of the BMHSS scale (Knowledge and Stigma Barriers) had a positive significant relationship with reported levels of depression (DASS21). Constructs such as acculturation (SASH) and attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help (ATSPPH) were not significantly related to depression (DASS21). However, demographic variables such as level of education and previous treatment history were significantly negatively related to levels of depression (DASS21) in this sample. Clinical implications are discussed, as well as limitations of the present studies and suggestions for future research.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Coursework Masters) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Murray Thompson |
| Qualification: | Doctor of Health Psychology |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Sep 2025 02:09 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Sep 2025 02:09 |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52338 |
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