IMPROVING SUBSTANCE-ABUSE SERVICE DELIVERY TO HISPANIC WOMEN THROUGH INCREASED CULTURAL COMPETENCES - A QUALITATIVE STUDY

In 1985, one woman in seventeen in the US was Hispanic-an estimated 8. 5 million-and it is predicted that by the end of this century, Hispani cs will comprise the largest ethnic group in this country (Amaro & Rus so, 1987). Although the term ''Hispanic'' suggests a homogeneous group , united by similarities, this is not the case. The term refers to an ethnic group, not a racial one, whose chief commonalities are the Span ish language and some broad cultural values. Making substance abuse tr eatment services accessible to Hispanic women and their families requi res that agencies become culturally competent to deal with this popula tion. The authors of this qualitative study interviewed female Hispani c substance-abuse treatment clients and therapists to Sind what agenci es might do to create a receptive atmosphere for Hispanic women. (C) 1 997 Elsevier Science Inc.