Depression and anxiety among Mexican Americans in a family health center

A standardized interview including parts of the NIMH-Diagnostic Interview Schedule was used to determine the prevalence of depression (major depression or dysthymia) and generalized anxiety in a random sample of predominantly low-income Mexican American patients attending an inner-city family health center. Overall rates of current DSM-III-diagnosable depression and anxiety were similar to rates reported for other primary care patient populations in the United States. There were racial/ethnic and sex differences in the rates of these disorders, with Anglo females having disproportionately high rates. Among women, the rate of mental disorders was higher for those with many somatic symptoms, three or more children, low scores on a scale of family integration, and numerous missed appointments in the last year.