Latino youth that need alcohol or drug abuse treatments could be hindered by cultural stereotypes, according to a new study conducted by the PIRE Behavioral Health Research Center.

"The study obtained first-hand information from practitioners to propose the development of culturally relevant, quality care for rural adolescent populations that have limited access to behavioral health care. Researchers...found four commonly held cultural stereotypes that health care providers' believed inhibited Hispanic youth from seeking help for substance abuse - family, religion and spirituality, gender roles and socioeconomic factors."

These stereotypes affect the kind of treatment that's offered to Hispanic youth, and the researchers hope to provide suggestions for improving behavioral health care. Possible suggestions include cultural training, and the hiring of health care providers who represent the cultural backgrounds of the communities in which they'll be working.

Find an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program at www.Teen-Help-Directory.com.

Labels: culture, influences, treatment_programs