ATAQUES DE NERVIOS AND PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IN OLDER PUERTO RICAN PRIMARY CARE PATIENTS

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.