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Ataques de Nervios and Psychiatric Disorders in Older Puerto Rican Primary Care Patients

The Institute of Living

Julie T. Robison

University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Sonia Gaztambide

The Institute of Living

Sheryl Horowitz

Hartford Hospital

Karen Blank

The Institute of Living

The present study aimed to examine the phenomenon of ataques de nervios (ataques) among a primary care sample of Puerto Ricans age 50 years and older living in the mainland United States. The sample included 303 participants who were asked whether they had ever experienced an ataque and to describe the episode and the situation that provoked it. Participants were administered a Spanish-language version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview—Short Form. Ataques occurred in 26% of participants and were a strong risk factor for current psychiatric disorders. Of participants with ataques, 84% met criteria for at least one anxiety, mood, suicidal, psychotic, or substance use problem. Ataques were most commonly elicited by interpersonal conflict. Factor analysis suggested three possible constellations of ataques symptoms that appeared to map onto anxious, angry, and depressive symptomatology. Ataques were associated with poorer subjective health status but not with other proposed vulnerability factors.

Key Words: ataques de nervios • Hispanics • elderly

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Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, Vol. 38, No. 6, 659-669 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0022022107308578


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Tolin, D. F. Articles by Blank, K. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?