Principles of Preventive Mental Health Programs for Ethnic Minority Populations: The Acculturation of Puerto Ricans to the United States

Abstract

Differences in value orientation cause serious adaptation problems in both the Puerto Rican migrant and in the human and social institutions responsible for his education, employment, health, and recreation. The author discusses methods and techniques by which a mental health professional can intervene in this adaptation process and design mental health services in harmony with the value orientation of the population.