A research agenda for Mexican-American adolescent mental health

In spite of their vulnerability, Mexican-American adolescents are almost non-existent in the psychological literature. There is little information on the mental health status, needs, and availability of services for this group. This paper provides information on the mental health of Mexican-American adolescents, with emphasis on the prevalence of mental health disorders, service delivery, and utilization. An agenda for research on this group is outlined. Topics include: epidemiology of mental health disorders (stressing longitudinal studies, service delivery, and utilization); developmental processes; the family; and primary and secondary therapeutic interventions. The focus of this agenda is not particular problems. Rather, it is to understand the objective and subjective worlds of adolescents themselves. Such an approach is useful because the knowledge and insights gained can be applied to the development of prevention/intervention programs across a broad range of areas. The present approach also avoids stigmatization of Mexican-American adolescents as a "problem" population.