Preferences, use of and satisfaction with mental health services among a sample of Puerto Rican cancer patients Journal Article


Authors: Castro-Figueroa, E. M.; Torres-Blasco, N.; Rosal, M. C.; Castro, W. P.; González-Lorenzo, M. E.; Vélez, H.; Costas-Muñíz, R.; Jiménez, J. C.
Article Title: Preferences, use of and satisfaction with mental health services among a sample of Puerto Rican cancer patients
Abstract: Objective The purpose of this study was to describe the preferences, the use, satisfaction of mental health services (MHS) among a sample of Puerto Rican patients with cancer undergoing oncology treatment. Methods A convenience sample of 120 patients diagnosed with cancer was recruited. Self-report questionnaires assessed socio-demographic and background questions, and the Mental Health Service Preference, Utilization and Satisfaction Questionnaire (MHSPUS). The Socio-demographic and Background Questionnaire inquired about participants’ demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, and included questions such as history of psychiatric diagnosis and spiritual practices. Univariate and Chi square analyses were used for descriptive purposes. Logistic regressions were used to explore associations between sociodemographic factors and MHS preferences and use. Results The majority of the sample were females (53.8%), 61 and older (53.8%), and married or living with partner (57.1%), and reported an income equal to or less than $12,000 per year (44.4%), which places them under the US federal poverty line. Most of the participants (66.7%) reported being receptive to seeking services. Findings showed a significant association between living situation and past (p < .05) and lifetime use (p < .05) of MHS and past use of MHS. Participants living alone were more like to have used MHS in the past and during their lifetime. Adjusted logistic regression analyses revealed that living with someone was a protective factor for not using MHS in their lifetime (OR = 0.28; C1 = 0.08–0.95). Participants preferred to receive MHS at the oncology clinic, preferably on the date of their oncology appointments and during morning hours. Conclusion Findings support the integration of mental health services within the oncology practice setting. © 2019 Castro-Figueroa et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Keywords: adult; controlled study; human tissue; major clinical study; cancer patient; oncology; self report; questionnaire; satisfaction; chi square test; mental health service; psychiatric diagnosis; poverty; convenience sample; human; male; female; article; puerto rican; married person
Journal Title: PLoS ONE
Volume: 14
Issue: 7
ISSN: 1932-6203
Publisher: Public Library of Science  
Date Published: 2019-07-18
Start Page: e0216127
Language: English
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216127
PUBMED: 31318876
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC6638843
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 4 September 2019 -- Source: Scopus
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