Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications
Publication Date
1-1-2024
Journal
Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic
DOI
10.1521/bumc.2024.88.2.148
PMID
38836850
PMCID
PMC11521111
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
10-29-2024
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Humans, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Hispanic or Latino, Latin America, Psychotherapy, Culturally Competent Care, Cultural Competency, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Hispanic or Latino, Cultural sensitivity, Health equity, Treatment, Structural barriers
Abstract
Research specific to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among individuals of Hispanic and Latin American (H/L) ancestry is limited, as are culturally relevant assessment and treatment recommendations. This article discusses the implications of underrepresentation of H/L populations in OCD research and emphasizes the need to consider issues related to assessment, treatment, and structural barriers that hinder delivery of culturally appropriate first-line psychotherapy. Recommendations for assessment and treatment are provided to aid clinicians in distinguishing culturally normative thoughts and behaviors from OCD, as well as to inform the implementation of psychotherapeutic interventions with cultural humility. This manuscript offers recommendations for future research to tackle health equity concerns with respect to assessment and treatment and structural factors limiting access to culturally appropriate psychotherapy. Wide-scale efforts are needed to comprehensively understand how H/L cultures intersect with various OCD presentations and to further disseminate treatments to populations that have historically lacked access to mental health care.