Attitudes and Needs Related to the Adoption of Evidence-based Practices Among Mental Health Professionals in Puerto Rico

Empirically supported interventions are warranted to achieve desired clinical outcomes and improve service delivery. Thus, efforts to identify, adopt, and implement Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) are underway in Puerto Rico due to the growing prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders. The current study sought to investigate the needs and attitudes towards EBPs among a sample of Puerto Rican mental health professionals. Methods: An anonymous survey was distributed to social workers, psychologists, and professional counselors in Puerto Rico (n = 237). Using structural equation modeling, four dimensions of attitudes towards EBPs (requirement, appeal, openness, and divergence) were regressed on various individual and organizational factors. Results: Greater organizational support and graduating from a private institution predicted greater divergence from research, while being trained on EBPs and married predicted less divergence. Female participants and those working in rural settings were more open to using new interventions. Exposure to EBPs in college and older age predicted less interest in the intuitive appeal of an intervention. Meanwhile, more years of experience predicted greater interest in the appeal of an intervention. No differences in attitudes toward EBPs were found by professional discipline or those working in clinical, community, and school settings. Conclusions: This is one of few studies looking at socio-demographic and organizational factors shaping specific dimensions of attitudes towards EBPs among Latino mental health professionals. Recommendations to address needs in the adoption and implementation of EBPs among Latino professionals are highlighted.