Patricia Gonzalez(1) and Monica Rosales(2)
1 San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
2 City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
Immigration and Mental Health: Stress, Psychiatric Disorders and Suicidal Behavior Among Immigrants and Refugees. Hauppauge, New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2010, 350 pages.

Depression is a major public health concern that places significant burden on the lives of Latino individuals, their families, and society. Latinos comprise a growing and diverse population making up the largest ethnic minority group in the U.S. This chapter provides an overview of the impact of demographic, immigration, acculturation, and social factors on depression among U.S. and non U.S. born Latinos. The review of the literature illustrates the complex nature of the relationships among these factors across Latino groups. Given the distinct immigration patterns and cultural backgrounds of Latinos, we recommend that research examine differences between Latino groups to determine how these differences shape depression outcomes. The main findings described in this chapter provide pertinent information about the correlates of depression and can guide interventions aimed at reducing depression risk among Latinos.