The 10 papers in this monograph examine the background, characteristic, social roles, and social-psychological needs of Hispanic women in the United States (especially Puerto Ricans in New York City), and identify possibilities for future research and policies. Based on recent research and other studies, the articles focus on: (1) the interplay between sociocultural factors and Puerto Rican women's mental health needs; (2) the influence of the women's movement on the self concepts and social roles of Puerto Rican women of different generations; (3) problems related to changing family roles, isolation, ethnic identity, acculturation and help-seeking among Hispanic women in suburban New York; (4) clinical findings concerning sex roles and acculturation among Puerto Rican adolescents; (5) relationships between cultural attitudes toward mental illness and use of community mental health services among Puerto Rican women; (6) voluntary reproductive sterilization among Hispanic women in a Connecticut community; (7) determinants of Hispanic children's health status and use of health facilities; (8) patterns and determinants of women's labor force participation in Puerto Rico from 1899 to 1975; (9) the demography, economic profiles, and changing roles and status of Cuban women; and (10) influences of economic factors, Hispanic culture, and stereotypes on Hispanic women's family roles. (Author/MJL)