The American Latino

The American Latino: Psychodynamic Perspectives on Culture and Mental Health Issues focuses on the culture of the Hispanic population in the United States and replaces stereotypes with portrayals based on factual information. The scope of the material covered is vast and includes the topics of ethnic identity, gender roles, religion and spirituality, family resilience, and the joys and sufferings of leading a bicultural life. Opening with a thorough survey of Latin-American immigration to the United States and closing with an illustration-rich discourse on being a Hispanic-American psychotherapist in this country, the contributors examines with both normative and psychopathological realms. Help-seeking patterns, vulnerability of some Hispanic youth to drugs and gang-related affiliations, and the fine technical adjustments in conducting psychotherapy with individuals of this growing subpopulation are elucidated with great compassion and empathy. The American Latino is a shining document of the coexistence of universal similarity and cultural uniqueness of the human psyche. Reading it will enhance knowledge, enrich attunement, and sharpen therapeutic skills for working with Latin American clients.

Salman Akhtar, MD, is professor of psychiatry at Jefferson Medical College and training and supervising analyst at the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Solange Margery Bertoglia, MD, is on the faculty of Thomas Jefferson University, and has a clinical and forensic practice.

Part I: Prologue
1 A Brief History of Latino Immigration to the United States
Kelly Lopez
Part II: Cultural Compass
2 Child Rearing by Latino Immigrants
April Fallon and Carol Quintana
3 Latino Ethnic Identity
Antonio Bullón and César A. Alfonso
4 Latino Gender Roles
April Fallon and Pedro Bauza
5 The Role of Religion and Spirituality among Latinos
Amaro J. Laria
6 Passion, Morality, and Resilience in Movies about Latino Immigrants
Salman Akhtar and Maria Elena Aguilo-Seara
Part III: Clinical Challenge
7 Help Seeking Behavior and Access to Mental Health Care
Félix E. Torres
8 Mental Health and Psychosocial Risks in Latino Youth
Andres J. Pumariega, Consuelo Cagande, and Eugenio Rothe
9 Individual and Sociocultural Dynamics in the Treatment of Latino Patients
Ricardo Ainslie
Part IV: Epilogue
10 On Being a Latino Psychotherapist in the United States
Solange Margery Bertoglia