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"Feeling blue" in Spanish: A qualitative inquiry of depression among Mexican immigrants

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  • Lackey, Gerald F.

Abstract

Studies of the cultural construction of depression among Mexican immigrant men in the USA are rare. This paper is a qualitative inquiry into how this population of men identifies depression and its perceived causes and remedies. Data were gathered from seven focus groups with a total of 38 adult Mexican immigrant men. Results indicate that depresión (depression) is a valid and familiar concept among this group. While the reporting of somatic symptoms does occur, it appears that interpersonal problems and affective symptoms are among the most salient in identifying someone as depressed. The causes are described as predominantly social in origin, arising directly out of the participants' experiences of immigration and adaptation. Similarly, the proposed remedies are primarily social in nature with an emphasis being put on help from the community, the family, or a professional. Colloquial terms are provided in both Spanish and English and direct quotes from the focus group discussions are included.

Suggested Citation

  • Lackey, Gerald F., 2008. ""Feeling blue" in Spanish: A qualitative inquiry of depression among Mexican immigrants," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(2), pages 228-237, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:67:y:2008:i:2:p:228-237
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vega, W.A. & Sribney, W.M. & Achara-Abrahams, I., 2003. "Co-Occurring Alcohol, Drug, and Other Psychiatric Disorders among Mexican-Origin People in the United States," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 93(7), pages 1057-1064.
    2. Norman, Paul & Boyle, Paul & Rees, Philip, 2005. "Selective migration, health and deprivation: a longitudinal analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(12), pages 2755-2771, June.
    3. Karasz, Alison, 2005. "Cultural differences in conceptual models of depression," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(7), pages 1625-1635, April.
    4. Guarnaccia, Peter J. & Angel, Ronald & Worobey, Jacqueline Lowe, 1989. "The factor structure of the CES-D in the Hispanic health and nutrition examination survey: The influences of ethnicity, gender and language," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 85-94, January.
    5. Angel, Ronald & Guarnaccia, Peter J., 1989. "Mind, body, and culture: Somatization among Hispanics," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 28(12), pages 1229-1238, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kaiser, Bonnie N. & Haroz, Emily E. & Kohrt, Brandon A. & Bolton, Paul A. & Bass, Judith K. & Hinton, Devon E., 2015. "“Thinking too much”: A systematic review of a common idiom of distress," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 170-183.

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