Help-Seeking for Mexican-Origin Men: A Qualitative Inquiry to Inform the Cultural Adaptation of BMI for at at-Risk Alcohol Consumers

Introduction: High-risk alcohol consumption remains a public concern with an estimated economic burden of $249 billion in the United States. Such alcohol consumption creates many serious social problems and health risks, such as high rates of violence, chronic health problems, and mental disorder. While Hispanics generally report higher rates of at-risk alcohol consumption when compared to non-Hispanic Whites, they also report lower rates of alcohol treatment utilization when compared with non-Hispanics. This discrepancy may contribute to health disparities in treatment for alcohol misuse. Previous epidemiological research on help-seeking and alcohol use among Hispanics/Latinos has focused on repeated social consequences as predictors of decisions. Nevertheless, the more in-depth examination of factors related to help-seeking for high-risk alcohol consumption can inform improved prevention and treatment interventions. Methods: This qualitative inquiry used a social constructivist perspective to explore help-seeking for alcohol among Mexican-origin men screened as at-risk consumers of alcohol. These men (N= 27) participated in an individual in-depth semi-structured interview. The research team transcribed the interviews and developed a coding schematic, to answer the question of "When would you seek help?" and "When, if at all, have you or someone you know sought help?" and “What are your views of help-seeking?” The team conducted a thematic analysis to identify emergent themes. Results: The values emerging from this thematic category analysis consisted of themes related to negative experiences with help-seeking, perceptions of help-seeking, and a decision-making process for help-seeking. The themes expressed by the majority of participants included narrative related to “the desire to serve as an example for the family” (specifically children), “the need to protect a partner” (specifically romantic partners and children), and “the need to be responsible and to exercise self-control” (e.g., financial). Furthermore, these men often reported help-seeking as a strength if it reflected the ability to serve as an example, to protect others, and to maintain their family role as a responsible provider. Conclusion: Prevention researchers must explore underlying psychological mechanisms that may assist clinicians and health professionals in implementing and adapting alcohol prevention and treatment strategies. Empirical validation is needed on the specific psychological constructs/variables that operate as motivational determinants of help seeking behaviors among these Mexican-origin men. A model-related analysis may clarify the identify and role of these psychological constructs/variables. Emerging information may be used by researchers to develop enhanced strategies for engaging Mexican-origin men in treatment, and may inform health disparities researchers in identifying cultural protective factors within this population.