Language Choice by Bilingual Puerto Rican Children on a Picture Labeling Task

Ecological and psychocultural mediators in the delivery of services for urban, culturally diverse Hispanic clients.

“…At times, a hybrid of Spanish and English phrases, referred to as “Spanglish,” can be used by the psychologist when there is less than adequate command of Spanish. Bilingual and culturally sensitive psychologists would be optimal, especially where interlocutors will be in a language-switching context (Arnold et al, 1979; Bucci & Baxter, 1984). As much as anything else, this has implications for recruitment and training of clinicians and the ways in which mental health service provision is organized.…”

“…There also is an extensive body of research demonstrating that current psychological service delivery systems do not adequately identify or reflect ways in which value orientation, ethnic identity, indigenous supports, bilingualism and biculturalism, socioecological conditions, religious beliefs, acculturation forces, and Latino family structure must moderate the planning, implementation, and evaluation of mental health programs for Hispanic families, children, or adults (Arnold, Rosado, & Penfield, 1979;Fernandez, 1979;Dunston, 1983;Durga, 1977;Garcia-Preto, 1982;Isaac, 1985;Juarez, 1985;Katlin, 1982;Kleinman, 1978;Lum, 1982;Mio et al, 1990;President's Commission on Mental Health, 1978;Rosado, 1982;Sue, 1990;Szapocznik, Scopetta, & King, 1978). Additionally, it has been reported that mental health researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners rarely take into account sociological perspectives and anthropological principles within their psychological paradigms and methods when planning for and rendering services for the urban, Hispanic community (Acosta, 1979;Harwood, 1977;Kleinman, 1978;Rosado, 1980Rosado, ,1986.…”