Research Mentor Name

Dr. Arash Javanbakht

Research Mentor Email Address

ajavanba@med.wayne.edu

Institution / Department

Wayne State University School of Medicine

Document Type

Research Abstract

Research Type

healthcommunityimpact

Level of Research

yes

Abstract

Purpose: Compared to the general population, Arab Americans experience higher rates of mental illness and lower rates of mental health treatment. While some causes of this discrepancy have been suggested, there are many gaps in the literature since Arab Americans are not recognized as an ethnic group in the United States. This study aims to analyze Arab-Americans’ outlook on mental health by identifying and addressing the barriers to receiving mental health treatment.

Methods: An anonymous bilingual Qualtrics survey was conducted and responses were collected from Arab and non-Arab participants (n=294, ages 18+). The participants’ viewpoints on barriers between Arabs and non-Arabs, as well as among Arabs (i.e gender and religion) were assessed.

Results: Arabs were less likely than non-Arabs to seek mental health treatment from a primary care provider or therapist. Cultural stigmas unique to the Arab community were found. For example, Arabs were more likely to endorse the fear of being labeled as crazy as an obstacle in seeking treatment. Treatment cost was another barrier Arabs and non-Arabs faced.

Conclusion: The results provide unique understandings into Arab-American perspectives on mental health, especially relating to treatment barriers. This study also provides a new facet on the mental health preferences of subgroups, such as gender, religion, and age, within the Arab population. This study’s goal is to magnify the importance of identifying the Arab American population as a distinct group and show the value in conducting future studies for a deeper understanding of Arab American cultural effects on health.

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Multicultural Psychology | Social Psychology

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