This thesis focus looks at the correlation between child abuse and childhood
depression among Latino children, in terms of
whether child abuse contributes to childhood
depression. The thesis focuses on the Latino
community that resides in California. This community is made up of first-generation immigrants and their families, who have been born in the United States. The thesis explores what child abuse is, how it can be measured, and also what depression is, the most likely causes for depression, and how depression can be measured. The factors that contribute to all of these conditions within the Latino community are also discussed in terms of what cultural factors are important in determining the levels of these conditions within the community, both internally (i.e., culturally) and externally (i.e., socio-politically). The links between abuse (intrafamilial and inter-racial) and depression are then explored, and conclusions are drawn regarding the factors that contribute to childhood depression in this racial group within the United States. Introduction Problem Statement Significance Purpose Latino's in the US: Characteristics and Diagnosed Mental Health Needs Need for Mental Health Care High-Need Populations Availability of Mental Health Services Access to Mental Health Services Use of Mental Health Services Appropriateness and Outcomes of Mental Health Services Latino's in Society: Welfare and Minority Families Legislative and Legal Advocacy of Latino Families The Formalization of Informal Latino Family Supports Child Abuse What is Abuse? Incidence of Child Abuse Diagnosing Abuse The Dimension of the Problem Prevalence Studies Rate of Child Abuse Increase Potential Long-Term Effects of Abuse Depression Scope of the Problem Clinical Characteristics Risk Factors What is Depression? Depression in Children Treatments for Childhood Depression Latino's and Depression: How is Depression Expressed? Levels of Depression in the Latino Community Risk Factors that May Contribute to Clinical Depression Implications in the Latino Community Single Parents Lack of Resources Discussion