Mexican American Psychology: Social, Cultural, and Clinical Perspectives

(Hardback)

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Providing in-depth coverage of the Mexican American population from social, cultural, and psychological (clinical) perspectives, this book promotes the understanding of cultural practices and sociological characteristics of this important ethnic group. There are now more than 32 million Mexican Americans living in the United States. As a result, the odds that a clinician will work with a member of this populationone of the fastest-growing minority groups in the United Statesis extremely high. Understanding the culture, society, psyche, acculturation, assimilation, and linguistics specific to Mexican Americans, as well as their crises and appropriate interventions, is imperative to provide counseling/therapy services and culturally sensitive assessments. In this book, author Mario Tovar explains how Mexican American history and society affects the needs of this group and how services to Mexican Americans require adjustments as a result. Tovar documents significant differences among Mexican Americans depending on whether they are documented or undocumented immigrants, and on their place of originrural versus urban areas of Mexico, and northern versus southern Mexico, for example. Readers will understand how the region of the United States in which Mexican Americans settle can influence the development of certain traits for them and learn about mental and physical health care practices common to Mexican Americans, including folk medicine and "healers" who often include grandmothers and elder neighbors.

Reviews

Well researched and documented, the text contains a multitude of references and a thorough index. Above all, it is a timely, important contribution and invaluable for those training to work with Mexican American populations in clinical settings. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above; faculty and professionals. * Choice *

Author Bio

Mario A. Tovar, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in Texas and director of psychology services at the Rio Grande State Center.