Citation

Garcia PI. Hisp. J. Behav. Sci. 1984; 6(3): 225-246.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1984, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/07399863840063002

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

One hundred fifty Spanish speaking/surnamed workers injured in industrial accidents in the Los Angeles area were assessed through 1/2-hour individual psychiatric evaluations. Most were first-generation Mexican American males with little formal education and an agrarian background who had worked at unskilled jobs prior to their injuries. The most common physical disorders were back injuries and traumnatic amputations. The most common psychological symptoms were anxiety and depression. A smaller sample (50 subjects) underwent subsequent psychiatric treatment, the course of which is described. While some success was achieved in weaning subjects from use of narcotic pain killers anid relief of psychological symptoms like anxiety, a major finding was that the physical and psychiatric disorders should never have occurred. Use of faulty and dangerous equipment was apparently very often responsible for the physical injuries. Psychological disturbances were largely stress-related and arose from the trauma of the injury itself plus tr eatmenit by the medical-legal establishment that was both delayed and did not meet the subjects' particular sociocultural needs. Specific recommendations for future changes are outlined.

Language: en