Is Psychotherapy Really Needed in Nonwestern Cultures? The Case of Arab Countries

Abstract

Research has shown that mental health problems in Arab countries are of large proportion, with women and children probably the groups most at risk. Forms of psychological treatment are inadequate, making the need for such services a top priority.

Mental Health Service Utilization Among the Arabs in Israel

“…Patients do not expect psychiatrists to undertake any form of talking therapy, other than what is related to prescribing medications or giving physical examinations (Al-Krenawi and Graham, 1999a;Ibrahim and Ibrahim, 1993;Kulwicki, 1996;West, 1987). Similarly, patients expect psychiatrists to treat the body somatically and to provide cures for physical symptoms within a short time, and are consequently disappointed when this does not occur Kulwicki, 1996).…”

The Impact of Culture on Group Behavior: A Comparison of Three Ethnic Groups

“…Therefore, outreach counseling and short-term, goal-T h e I m p a c t o f C u l t u r e o n G r o u p B e h a v i o r oriented, systematic eclecticism is offered for counseling Arabs (Budman, Lipson, & Meleis, 1992;Dwairy, 1998). Yet, owing in part to social oppression, social change, and family transformation, Arabs tend to display high levels of psychosocial disorders (Ibrahim & Ibrahim, 1993;Okasha, 1993). The Israeli Ministry of Education has opened many counseling centers in Arab residential areas, and increasing numbers of school counselors and other helping professionals work with the Arab population.…”

Psychological Help-Seeking Attitude and Locus of Control among College Student

“…Previous studies explored the influence of personal factors such as gender, level of education, and locus of control to understand college's students under-utilization of psychological help within different cultural contexts (Andrews, Stefurak, & Mehta, 2011;Harrar et al, 2010;Oluyinka,2011;Roddenberry & Renk, 2010). However, the psychological helpseeking and its association with the concept of the locus of control remained uninvestigated among Arab students (Al-Bahrani, 2004; Al-Bahrani, Aldhafri, Alkharusi, Kazem & Alzubiadi, 2013;Ibrahim & Ibrahim, 1993). Therefore, researching possible predictors of the help-seeking attitude is important because such knowledge can assist mental health professionals to make their services more attrac-tive (Andrews et al, 2011;Oluyinka,2011Roddenberry & Renk, 2010.…”