Ethnic Identity, Acculturation, and 12-Month Psychiatric Service Utilization Among Black and Hispanic Adults in the U.S.

A cross-sectional study design was used to examine the associations of ethnic identity, acculturation, and psychiatric service utilization among Wave 2 respondents of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol Related Conditions with 12-month psychiatric disorders who self-identified as Black (6587, 19%) and Hispanic (6359, 18%). Weighted multivariable regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between ethnic identity, acculturation, and 12-month psychiatric service utilization. Stronger ethnic identity was associated with decreased odds of using psychiatric services among Black (AOR = 0.956; CI = 0.923-0.991) and Hispanic individuals (AOR = 0.967; CI = 0.945-0.990). Greater acculturation was associated with an increased odds of psychiatric service utilization for Hispanic individuals (AOR = 1.025; CI = 1.000-1.050). These findings suggest that a sense of pride, belonging, and attachment to one's racial/ethnic group and participating in ethnic behaviors is associated with lower rates of participation in psychiatric services; alternatively, acquiring key elements of the U.S. culture is associated with greater participation in psychiatric services.