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Mental Health of Spanish-Speaking Residents Living in Portugal and Preferences Regarding Psychology Sessions
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Abstract(s)
Os imigrantes hispanofalantes em Portugal continuam subrepresentados na investigação em saúde mental. Este estudo analisou como a identidade cultural, as preferências por serviços de psicologia e a perceção da saúde mental se relacionam com sintomas de ansiedade e depressão. Um total de 251 adultos respondeu a um questionário online que avaliou dados sociodemográficos, aculturação, preferências terapêuticas e sintomas, através da Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão (HADS).
Embora a maioria tivesse elevada proficiência em português e residência prolongada, apenas 3.6% se identificavam mais com a cultura portuguesa. Quase todos preferiam realizar terapia em língua espanhola. Apesar de 63.4% indicarem necessidade atual de apoio psicológico, apenas 15.5% estavam em acompanhamento. As características do psicólogo (idade, género, etnia) foram amplamente consideradas irrelevantes, exceto a preferência frequente por psicólogas; a presença em redes sociais foi considerada pouco importante; e a competência, acessibilidade financeira e flexibilidade de horário foram os critérios mais valorizados.
As análises bivariadas mostraram que sintomas de ansiedade estavam associados a autoperceção negativa da saúde mental, baixo suporte percebido, história anterior de terapia psicológica, necessidade atual, e preferência por género e idioma do psicólogo. Para sintomas depressivos, as variáveis associadas incluíram autoperceção negativa da saúde mental, maior identificação com a cultura de origem, baixo suporte percebido, e preferência por género
do psicólogo.
Os modelos de regressão explicaram 39.2% da variância na ansiedade e 31.5% na depressão. A perceção negativa da saúde mental foi o preditor mais forte em ambos. Os resultados reforçam a importância de considerar o bemestar subjetivo, o alinhamento cultural e as barreiras de acesso na prestação de cuidados psicológicos.
Spanish-speaking immigrants in Portugal continue to be underrepresented in mental health research. This study analysed how cultural integration, preferences for psychological services, and perceptions of mental health relate to symptoms of anxiety and depression. A total of 251 adults answered an online questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic data, acculturation, therapy preferences, and symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Although the majority were highly proficient in Portuguese and had lived in the country for a long time, only 3.6% identified more with Portuguese culture. Almost all of them favoured therapy in Spanish. Although 63.4% indicated a current need for psychological support, only 15.5% were being followed up. The psychologist's characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity) were considered mainly irrelevant, except for the frequent preference for female psychologists; presence on social networks was considered unimportant; and competence, affordability, and flexible hours were the most valued criteria. The bivariate analyses showed that anxiety symptoms were associated with negative self-rated mental health, low perceived support, previous history of psychological therapy, current need, and preference for the psychologist's gender and language. For depressive symptoms, the associated variables included negative selfassessment of mental health, greater identification with the culture of origin, low perceived support, and preference for the psychologist's gender. The regression models explained 39.2 per cent of the variance in anxiety and 31.5 per cent in depression. Negative perception of mental health was the strongest predictor in both. The results reinforce the importance of considering subjective well-being, cultural alignment, and access barriers when providing psychological care.
Spanish-speaking immigrants in Portugal continue to be underrepresented in mental health research. This study analysed how cultural integration, preferences for psychological services, and perceptions of mental health relate to symptoms of anxiety and depression. A total of 251 adults answered an online questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic data, acculturation, therapy preferences, and symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Although the majority were highly proficient in Portuguese and had lived in the country for a long time, only 3.6% identified more with Portuguese culture. Almost all of them favoured therapy in Spanish. Although 63.4% indicated a current need for psychological support, only 15.5% were being followed up. The psychologist's characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity) were considered mainly irrelevant, except for the frequent preference for female psychologists; presence on social networks was considered unimportant; and competence, affordability, and flexible hours were the most valued criteria. The bivariate analyses showed that anxiety symptoms were associated with negative self-rated mental health, low perceived support, previous history of psychological therapy, current need, and preference for the psychologist's gender and language. For depressive symptoms, the associated variables included negative selfassessment of mental health, greater identification with the culture of origin, low perceived support, and preference for the psychologist's gender. The regression models explained 39.2 per cent of the variance in anxiety and 31.5 per cent in depression. Negative perception of mental health was the strongest predictor in both. The results reinforce the importance of considering subjective well-being, cultural alignment, and access barriers when providing psychological care.
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Keywords
Spanish-speaking immigrants Client preferences Acculturation Therapy modality Anxiety and depression Self-rated mental health