Communication Patterns and Direct Social Work Practice with Latinos in the U.S.

Abstract

Although Latinos in the United States are projected to become the largest ethnic and cultural population by the 21st century, there continues to be a paucity of literature on the heterogeneity of this population. This article presents a brief perspective of Puerto Ricans in the U.S. including elements of its cultural value system and its relevance to culturally based differences in patterns of communication. The author identifies several cultural values, how they interface with different patterns of communication among Puerto Ricans and implications for direct social work practice.