CULTURAL EXPRESSION OF PSYCHIATRIC-SYMPTOMS - IDIOMS OF ANGER AMONG PUERTO-RICANS

Increasing attention is being focused on the role of culture in psycho logical assessment and psychiatric diagnosis. In the Diagnostic and St atistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV American Psychia tric Association, 1994), there are cultural considerations in applying the criteria of psychiatric disorders, as well as a glossary of cultu re-bound syndromes. There is a need for further research to clarify th e cultural roots of expressive symptomatology. In the present study, f ocus groups conducted with Puerto Rican adults revealed that idioms of anger are salient to the mental health among a low socioeconomic stat us, inner-city population. Community and clinical samples of responden ts (N = 531) were administered the idioms in a rating scale format. Fa ctor analysis yielded dimensions expressive of aggression, assertivene ss, and vindictiveness. These subscales correlated significantly with depressive and anxiety symptomatology, as measured by standardized ins truments, and predicted clinical status. Results suggest that taking c ultural expression of symptomatology into account enhances standard as sessment of mental health.