Symptomatology and barriers to accessing psychological therapy among uninsured latin american immigrants in the United  States

Sintomatología y barreras de acceso a la terapia psicológica en inmigrantes latinoamericanos sin seguro médico en Estados Unidos

Objective: To describe the symptomatology and barriers to accessing psychological therapy among Latin American immigrants without health insurance in the United States. Method: This study employed a quantitative approach with a non-experimental, observational, cross-sectional, and descriptive design. A total of N=218 individuals who sought therapy between 2020 and 2023 and lacked health insurance were included; cases with psychiatric diagnoses or a history of psychiatric hospitalization were excluded. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for sociodemographic variables, self-reported symptoms, reason for consultation, country of origin, and length of residence. Results: The most prevalent symptoms were sadness (>80%), excessive worry, and insomnia. The majority of participants were from Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, with a wide range of stay lengths in the United States. Conclusions: The findings reveal frequent emotional needs among uninsured Latin American immigrants seeking therapy, providing useful evidence for the planning of culturally responsive mental health services. Further analytical studies are needed to evaluate therapeutic outcomes and to examine the role of immigration status in access to and continuity of care. These results underscore the urgent need to ensure accessible and culturally competent psychological services, with particular attention to migration-related grief and psychosocial support adapted to the cultural and social realities of this population.