Use of Treatment Services for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Latino Children

Abstract

This article reviews recent research that examines service use for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among Latino children. Using MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and PubMed, literature searches were conducted for research published between January 2008 and April 2010 that specifically focused on Latino children or included a sufficient sample of Latino children and examined racial/ethnic differences between groups. Eight studies regarding general service use, treatment with medication, and parenting interventions were identified and are reviewed herein. Results of these studies highlight important factors associated with the continued mental health service use disparities among Latino children, such as parental attitudes toward service use. Results also provide much-needed data with regard to adapting and engaging Latino parents into parenting interventions. Suggestions for clinical practice and future research are discussed.

Energy Drinks and Youth Self-Reported Hyperactivity/Inattention Symptoms

“…14 Undiagnosed ADHD or children who do not meet criteria for ADHD also face potential harms such as reduced academic achievement 15 and even increased risk of alcohol abuse and violent crimes, 16 making hyperactive and inattentive behaviors important for all children. While there is a noted lack of research on hyperactivity/inattention among minority children, particularly among Hispanic children, 17,18 some studies suggest that ADHD is underdiagnosed and undertreated among Black and Hispanic children 17,19 so studying hyperactivity/inattention symptoms among these populations is particularly important.…”

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Outcomes of a Culturally Adapted Evidence-Based Treatment for Latino Youth With ADHD

“…To combat current mental health disparities in the United States, research is needed on effective treatments for many childhood disorders in ethnic minority youth. This need is particularly strong for ADHD given its prevalence and developmental trajectory, and for Latino youth who are estimated to account for nearly 40% of the children in the United States by 2060 (Alegría et al, 2010;American Psychiatric Association, 2013;Eiraldi & Diaz, 2010;U.S. Census Bureau, 2015).…”

“…Latinos are the largest, most rapidly growing ethnic minority group in the United States, with estimates predicting that nearly 40% of the children in the country will identify as Latino by 2060 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2015). Recent studies suggest that although Latino and European American youth exhibit similar rates of ADHD symptomatology, Latino youth are less likely to be diagnosed and receive treatment (Eiraldi & Diaz, 2010;Leslie, Lambros, Aarons, Haine, & Hough, 2008;Morgan, Hillemeier, Farkas, & Maczuga, 2014). Many barriers contributing to these mental health disparities have been identified.…”

Incremental Clinical Utility of ADHD Assessment Measures With Latino Families

“…Rates of psychopathology in Latino youth are similar or higher as compared to other groups, but Latinos are less likely to seek and receive high-quality mental health assessment and treatment services (Flores, 2010 More specifically, while the prevalence of ADHD symptomatology has been found to be consistent between European Americans and Latinos, Latino individuals are less likely to receive an official diagnosis of ADHD and treatment for the condition. This is especially true of Latino children who do not speak English in the home (Eiraldi & Diaz, 2010;Morgan et al, 2014). In addition, as the prevalence of ADHD rises in general, the greatest increase has been found in Latinos and in individuals with a primary language other than English.…”