Evaluation of factors affecting attitudes of Muslim Americans toward seeking and using formal mental health services

Khan, Fahad; Khan, Maryam; Soyege, Hamzzat O.; Maklad, Sara; Center, Khalil

doi:10.3998/jmmh.10381607.0013.201

Cited by 14 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Consistent with previous work (e.g. Aloud & Rathur, 2009;Khan et al, 2019), the results of the present study provide evidence for the hypothesized relations between proposed predictors and rejection attitudes in that beliefs, stigma, and familiarity all significantly predicted rejection attitudes. Ours was the first empirical quantitative study to verify the HSPAM model among Muslim women.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Additionally, within the HSPAM model, familiarity with mental illness and available services influences help-seeking behaviors among Muslims (Khan et al, 2019;Lai & Surood, 2013). Many Muslim individuals, in addition to lacking an in-depth understanding of psychological problems, may not be aware of the professional services available to them or understand how existing services function.…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Amri & Bemak, 2012;Saleem & Martin, 2018) or have utilized adapted questionnaires on small samples that were not validated psychometrically (e.g. Hankir et al, 2017;Khan et al, 2019). While these studies have contributed to our understanding of Muslims' underutilization of mental health services, establishing construct validity (i.e.…”

Section: The Measurement Of Mental Health Antecedents and Outcomes In...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Amri & Bemak, 2012;Saleem & Martin, 2018) or have utilized small samples and adapted questionnaires that were not psychometrically validated for use with Muslims (e.g. Hankir et al, 2017;Khan et al, 2019).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Predicting rejection attitudes toward utilizing formal mental health services in Muslim women in the US: Results from the Muslims’ perceptions and attitudes to mental health study

Ali

Elsayed

Elahi

et al. 2021

Int J Soc Psychiatry

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Background: The underutilization of mental health services is a recognized problem for the growing number of Muslims living in the West. Despite their unique mental health risk factors and the pivotal role they play in determining mental health discourse in their families and in society, Muslim women in particular have not received sufficient study. Aim: To help remedy this research gap, we examined factors that may impact the rejection attitudes of Muslim women toward professional mental health care using the first psychometrically validated scale of its kind; the M-PAMH (Muslims’ Perceptions and Attitudes to Mental Health). Methods: A total of 1,222 Muslim women responded to questions about their cultural and religious beliefs about mental health, stigma associated with mental health, and familiarity with formal mental health services in an anonymous online survey. Results: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that higher religious and cultural beliefs, higher societal stigma, and lower familiarity with professional mental health services were associated with greater rejection attitudes toward professional mental healthcare. The final model was statistically significant, F (5, 1,216) = 73.778; p < .001, and explained 23% of the variance in rejection attitudes with stigma accounting for the most (12.3%) variance, followed by cultural and religious mental health beliefs (6%), and familiarity with mental health services (2.7%). Conclusions: Findings suggest that although the examined factors contributed significantly to the model, they may not be sufficient in the explanation of Muslim women's rejection attitudes toward mental health services. Future research may explore additional variables, as well as predictive profiles for Muslim women’s perceptions and attitudes of mental health based on a combination of these factors.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Measurement Of Mental Health Antecedents and Outcomes In...mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Predicting rejection attitudes toward utilizing formal mental health services in Muslim women in the US: Results from the Muslims’ perceptions and attitudes to mental health study

Ali

Elsayed

Elahi

et al. 2021

Int J Soc Psychiatry

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show abstract

“…Open-ended responses provided further nuance into this preference. Many thought the involvement of an imam could lead to more culturally sensitive care, in line with previous literature (Amri & Bemak, 2013; Khan et al, 2019). This may be especially true for highly religious Muslims, as a recent study of health care utilization among Muslims in Canada (Zia et al, 2022) found that higher levels of religiosity was associated with imam preference.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

A mixed-methods approach to psychological help-seeking in Muslims: Islamophobia, self-stigma, and therapeutic preferences.

McLaughlin¹,

Ahmad²,

Mamani³

2022

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

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Objective: Muslims living in the United States (MLUS) report high mental health stigma. They also underutilize professional psychological help, despite experiencing rising Islamophobia and comparatively poorer mental health. In line with double stigma, we examined whether MLUS who perceived greater Islamophobia also experienced greater self-stigma of seeking help, and whether this was related to negative help-seeking attitudes. We also assessed therapist demographic and treatment modality preferences and explored how they related to risk factors for low help-seeking. Method: Utilizing a representative sample of 350 MLUS (50% women, 33% immigrants) acquired via a Qualtrics panel aggregate, we assessed a path model of help-seeking attitudes to determine the direct and indirect effects of perceived Islamophobia via self-stigma and psychological distress. Therapist and treatment preferences were examined via multiple regression models and analysis of variance (ANOVAs). Open-ended responses were coded through content analysis. Results: Perceived Islamophobia was associated with greater psychological distress and also indirectly related to negative help-seeking attitudes via greater self-stigma. Therapists of a similar background, therapy in a mosque-setting, group therapy, and imam collaboration were more appealing to MLUS who were at risk for low help-seeking. Conclusions: Among MLUS, perceived Islamophobia may present a dual risk-simultaneously increasing psychological distress and indirectly leading to negative attitudes toward help-seeking via higher self-stigma. Conversely, for MLUS at risk for low help-seeking, accessible community-based treatments and treatment with a Muslim or race/ethnicity-matched therapist may facilitate help-seeking behaviors. Future work may determine whether addressing double stigma within Muslim communities (e.g., Islamophobia and self-stigma) may improve psychological help-seeking.

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The impact of religiousness and beliefs about mental illness on help‐seeking behaviors of Muslim Americans

Mudryk

Johnson

2022

J Clin Psychol

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Background In addition to the typical challenges of daily life, Muslim Americans have experienced high levels of stress and clinical disorders relating to discrimination from the 9/11 attacks and ongoing political stigma. Despite mounting mental health concerns, Muslim Americans have encountered multifaceted barriers to accessing mental health services and remain underserved. Aims This study sought to explore the relationship between religiousness and beliefs about mental illness among Muslim Americans to predict their clinical help‐seeking attitudes. Materials and Methods The present study gathered a nationwide sample of Muslim Americans through online data collection to assess how the relationship between religiousness and help‐seeking was mediated by acculturation and biomedical beliefs about mental illness. Results Analyses found that Islamic religiousness and biomedical beliefs predicted more openness to mental health treatment. Additional analyses found that integration with mainstream culture was correlated with higher confidence in services. Discussion The findings of this study provide clinicians a nuanced understanding of how biological beliefs about mental illness may align with Islamic spiritual values and foster culturally responsive communication and healthcare. Barriers to treatment may be addressed for males and other underserved demographics through integrated treatment that recognizes their understandings of health, illness, and treatment. Conclusion Overall, results of the study provide support for recognizing religion along with demographic background as a cultural consideration to enhance treatment efficacy.

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Evaluation of factors affecting attitudes of Muslim Americans toward seeking and using formal mental health services

Cited by 14 publications

References 2 publications

Predicting rejection attitudes toward utilizing formal mental health services in Muslim women in the US: Results from the Muslims’ perceptions and attitudes to mental health study

Predicting rejection attitudes toward utilizing formal mental health services in Muslim women in the US: Results from the Muslims’ perceptions and attitudes to mental health study

A mixed-methods approach to psychological help-seeking in Muslims: Islamophobia, self-stigma, and therapeutic preferences.

The impact of religiousness and beliefs about mental illness on help‐seeking behaviors of Muslim Americans

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