MENTAL-HEALTH STATUS AMONG PUERTO-RICANS, MEXICAN-AMERICANS, AND NON-HISPANIC WHITES

Compared mental health characteristics of island Puerto Ricans to thre e groups from the Los Angeles Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study: Mexi can American immigrants, U.S.-born Mexican Americans, and Non-Hispanic whites. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule was used to obtain both dia gnostic and symptom scale information about affective disorders, alcoh ol abuse/dependence, somatization, phobic disorder, and psychotic diso rder. Mexican American immigrants had the fewest mental health problem s of all groups. Puerto Ricans had more somatization disorder, but les s affective and alcohol disorders than US.-born Mexican Americans or n on-Hispanic whites. Results are considered in the light of selection f actors, relative disadvantage of groups and methodological problems.