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Objective The Latina(o)/Hispanic (L/H) population represents the largest and fastest-growing ethnic group in the United States. Migration patterns have evolved and greater diversity (i.e. country of origin) is evident, highlighting the ever-changing heterogeneity of this community and the need for the field of neuropsychology to ensure equitable care for linguistically and culturally diverse communities. This paper aims to provide a flexible protocol of neuropsychological instruments appropriate for primarily Spanish-speaking adults residing in the United States. Method Spanish measures were selected based on availability, translations/cultural modifications, accompanying normative data sets, and clinician experience/acumen. Bilingual/bicultural providers of neuropsychological services to Spanish speakers across the training spectrum working at U.S.-based medical centers implemented a multimodal approach (i.e. literature search, clinical practice parameters, and focus groups) in the development of a multi-domain primary protocol that includes core and supplemental measures that are appropriate for individuals with varying linguistic proficiency and sociocultural demographic characteristics. Results A multi-domain, evidence-based, flexible neuropsychological protocol is presented. Recommendations for test selection based on sociocultural demographic factors and examples of clinical assessment practices are provided via a case illustration. Most instruments included may be applied across cultural and regional backgrounds. Conclusion Provision of neuropsychological services to primarily Spanish-speaking adults presents unique challenges. Existing Spanish measures and accompanying data rarely capture the heterogeneity of L/H individuals. Although Spanish has the largest number of neurocognitive instruments, relative to other languages, robust and representative norms continue to be scarce. Future studies should prioritize collecting normative data from educationally and geographically diverse samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As depression screening becomes a standard in primary care, the question remains of how effective and equitable screening can be implemented to avoid cultural and language-related disparities.Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, rates of depression screening were compared for 3626 adult patients at a family medicine residency-based health centre in Pennsylvania, USA. The PHQ-2/PHQ-9 modality was verbally administered by nursing staff at the time of patient intake as part of a universal screening initiative. Chi-square analysis was used to determine the univariate associations of performed depression screening with variables of language, ethnicity, gender and number of office visits. A binary logistic regression was then performed to measure whether univariate associations remain significant after correction for other variables.Results: Chi-square analysis revealed significant differences in screening based on univariate associations of language, gender and number of office visits. No significant difference was found for age or ethnicity. Binary logistic regression revealed the following odds ratio of being screened for depression for each variable: Spanish language (OR = 0.694, CI = 0.559 to 0.862), female gender (OR = 1.155, CI = 1.005 to 1.328) and office visit frequency of three or more office visits per year (OR = 2.103, CI = 1.835 to 2.410).Conclusions: Spanish-speaking adults were significantly less likely to be screened for depression than their English-speaking counterparts. Women were more likely to be screened than men, and the odds of screening increased with more frequent exposure to the office. Future studies should be directed at validating these findings in multiple clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a population of close to 40 million Hispanics/Latinos in the USA who have at least some level of Spanish/English bilingualism, there are few neuropsychological tests and norms available for this group, especially when assessing Spanish/English bilingual children. The purpose of the present research was to provide preliminary normative data for a bilingual population on a comprehensive neuropsychological battery developed for Spanish-speaking children (Evaluación Neuropsicológica Infantil). Norms by age are presented on the performance of 108 Spanish/English bilingual children (ages 5–14 years) and are expected to be useful when testing other Spanish/English bilingual children in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Spanish version of the third edition of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III) by TEA Ediciones is an excellent addition to available instruments for Spanish speakers. The Spanish norms function similarly to US norms for individuals aged 16–35. The norms become increasingly different for individuals 35 and older, seemingly because of the lower levels of formal education of the older Spanish cohorts. Using data from a random half of the Spanish sample, the authors developed regression equations to adjust the scaled scores for individuals with a low level of education. The adjustment is made to the level that would have been expected if the individual had 12 years of education, the median level of education of the US norms. The article includes the methodology and values necessary to make the adjustments. The scaled scores were then adjusted for individuals on the second random half of the Spanish sample and compared to the United States norms. The results showed the adjustments succeed in bringing the Spanish norms closer to the US norms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article examines the local reception of global Spanish-language soap operas, or telenovelas. Developed from a 2-year ethnography of Mexican American media consumption in San Antonio, Texas, this article explores how young people talked about Mexican telenovelas in daily life. The researcher selected one telenovela to analyze as it was watched from its beginning to end. From the data, the researcher concluded that the telenovela, within certain limits, reflected some of the national, ethnic, gender, and class tensions that defined the viewers' identities as working-class, Mexican American girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information on a study related to the barriers to the utilization of mammography screening among low-income Hispanic women in the U.S. The authors conducted six personal interviews with experts in the field of Hispanic health communication and education to identify the development process of Hispanic educational materials, definitions of cultural and linguistic sensitivity. According to the authors, in the artifacts, prevention of breast cancer was mentioned 77% of the time as a key message, treatment of breast cancer was mentioned 46% of the time and living with breast cancer was mentioned 35% of the time. They demonstrated that these 26 artifacts represent the majority of the educational materials available in Spanish in the U.S.

The clinical literature has given in- creased attention to the importance of culturally appropriate interventions with diverse populations. The use of metaphor as a tool in psychotherapy has become increasingly salient Metaphor can also be used in work with Latino clients through the incorporation of dichos, or sayings, that exist in Mexican American and other Latino cultures. These folk sayings exhibit cultural beliefs and ideals embedded in figurative language that describe the human condition. The Spanish language has crystallized human situations, frailties, and anecdotes in the dichos used in everyday conversations. These dichos offer the clinician culturally viable tools for mitigating resistance, enhancing motivation, or reframing problems. Importantly, dichos provide an ambience that contributes to culturally sensitive treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]