Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Appiah-Kubi, Jamal

Abstract

First-generation Latino college students experience barriers to mental health in the form of cultural stigmas and systemic disadvantages, which prevent them from obtaining support and cause disparities within mental health services within their community. Existing research addresses how cultural factors, such as religion, gender roles, and stigma, play a part in their willingness to obtain services. However, despite the limited literature found regarding research addressing barriers to Latinos receiving mental health support, little to no research addresses the specific population of first-generation Latino college students. This study will aim to explore how systemic barriers and cultural stigmas impact help-seeking behaviors among first-generation Latino college students and seek methods that would help improve access and utilization of services among this population. Guided by the ecological systems theory, this study will further explore the barriers first-generation Latino college students face in accessing mental health services. The study will use a mixed-methods approach to gather quantitative and qualitative data via a survey and individual interviews, to obtain insight from current CSUSB first-generation Latino students and their experience seeking and participating in mental health services. A thematic analysis of the collected data will be conducted to suggest implications related to the first-generation college students and seeking and receiving mental health services. The findings may offer universities practical ways to better support first-generation Latino students and address gaps in care.

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