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.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Open Research

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Anonymized data are available upon request to the corresponding author.

REFERENCES

Abu-Ras, W., Suárez, Z. E., & Abu-Bader, S. (2018). Muslim Americans' safety and well-being in the wake of Trump: A public health and social justice crisis. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 88(5), 503–515. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000321
10.1037/ort0000321
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
Al Wekhian, J. (2015). Acculturation process of Arab-Muslim immigrants in the United States. Asian Culture and History, 8(1), 89–99. https://doi.org/10.5539/ach.v8n1p89
10.5539/ach.v8n1p89
Google Scholar
Alhomaizi, D., Alsaidi, S., Moalie, A., Muradwij, N., Borba, C. P. C., & Lincoln, A. K. (2018). An exploration of the help-seeking behaviors of Arab-Muslims in the US: A socio-ecological approach. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 12(1), 19–48. https://doi.org/10.3998/jmmh.10381607.0012.102
10.3998/jmmh.10381607.0012.102
Web of Science® Google Scholar
Ali, S., Elsayed, D., Elahi, S., Zia, B., & Awaad, R. (2022). 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. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 68(3), 662–669. https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640211001084
10.1177/00207640211001084
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
Aloud, N., & Rathur, A. (2009). Factors affecting attitudes toward seeking and using formal mental health and psychological services among Arab muslim populations. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 4(2), 79–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564900802487675
10.1080/15564900802487675
Google Scholar
Amer, M. M., & Hovey, J. D. (2007). Socio-demographic differences in acculturation and mental health for a sample of 2nd generation/early immigrant Arab Americans. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 9(4), 335–347. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-007-9045-y
10.1007/s10903-007-9045-y
PubMed Google Scholar
Amri, S., & Bemak, F. (2013). Mental health help-seeking behaviors of Muslim immigrants in the United States: Overcoming social stigma and cultural mistrust. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 7(1), 43–63. https://doi.org/10.3998/jmmh.10381607.0007.104
10.3998/jmmh.10381607.0007.104
Google Scholar
Bagasra, A. B. (2010). Acculturation, religious commitment, and conceptualization of mental illness in the Muslim American community (Doctoral dissertation). Saybrook University.
Google Scholar
Berry, J. W. (1997). Immigration, acculturation, and adaptation. Applied Psychology, 46(1), 5–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/026999497378467
10.1111/j.1464-0597.1997.tb01087.x
Web of Science® Google Scholar
Council on Foreign Relations (2016). The Sunni-Shia Divide. https://www.cfr.org/sunni-shia-divide/#!/sunni-shia-divide
Google Scholar
Fischer, E. H., & Turner, J. I. (1970). Orientations to seeking professional help: Development and research utility of an attitude scale. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 35(1), 79–90. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0020198
10.1037/h0020198
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
Hayes, A. F. (2017). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach. Guilford Publications.
Google Scholar
Ibrahim, A., & Whitley, R. (2021). Religion and mental health: A narrative review with a focus on Muslims in English-speaking countries. BJPsych Bulletin, 45(3), 170–174. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2020.34
10.1192/bjb.2020.34
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
Jana-Masri, A., & Priester, P. E. (2007). The development and validation of a Qur'an-based instrument to assess Islamic religiosity: The religiosity of Islam scale. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 2(2), 177–188. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564900701624436
10.1080/15564900701624436
Google Scholar
Johnson, L. R., & Sandhu, D. S. (2010). Treatment planning in a multicultural context: Some suggestions for counselors and psychotherapists. In M. Leach, & J. Aten (Eds.), Culture and the therapeutic process: A guide for mental health professionals (pp. 117–156). Routledge, Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203893395-13
Google Scholar
Khan, F., Khan, M., Soyege, H. O., Maklad, S., & Center, K. (2019). Evaluation of factors affecting attitudes of Muslim Americans toward seeking and using formal mental health services. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 13(2), 5–21. https://doi.org/10.3998/jmmh.10381607.0013.201
10.3998/jmmh.10381607.0013.201
Web of Science® Google Scholar
Kleinman, A. (1980). Patients and healers in the context of culture: An exploration of the borderland between anthropology, medicine, and psychiatry (3). University of California Press. https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520340848-001
10.1525/9780520340848
Google Scholar
Kleinman, A., Eisenberg, L., & Good, B. (1978). Culture, illness, and care: Clinical lessons from anthropologic and cross-cultural research. Annals of Internal Medicine, 88(2), 251–258. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-88-2-251
10.7326/0003-4819-88-2-251
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
Markova, V., Sandal, G. M., & Pallesen, S. (2020). Immigration, acculturation, and preferred help-seeking sources for depression: Comparison of five ethnic groups. BMC Health Services Research, 20(1), 648. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.2.14591/v1
10.21203/rs.2.14591/v1
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
Mechammil, M., Boghosian, S., & Cruz, R. A. (2019). Mental health attitudes among Middle Eastern/North African individuals in the United States. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 22(7), 724–737. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2019.1644302
10.1080/13674676.2019.1644302
Web of Science® Google Scholar
Meran, S., & Mason, O. (2019). Muslim faith leaders: De facto mental health providers and key allies in dismantling barriers preventing British muslims from accessing mental health care. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 13(2), 23–44. https://doi.org/10.3998/jmmh.10381607.0013.202
10.3998/jmmh.10381607.0013.202
Web of Science® Google Scholar
Moodley, P., Joosub, N., & Khotu, R. S. (2018). Conceptions of depression of muslim clergy in a faith-based organization in South Africa. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 12(1), 77–108. https://doi.org/10.3998/jmmh.10381607.0012.104
10.3998/jmmh.10381607.0012.104
Web of Science® Google Scholar
Najam, K. S., Khan, R. S., Waheed, A., & Hassan, R. (2019). Impact of Islamic practices on the mental health of Muslims. International Dental & Medical Journal of Advanced Research, 5(1), 1–6.
Google Scholar
Padela, A. I., & Curlin, F. A. (2013). Religion and disparities: Considering the influences of Islam on the health of American Muslims. Journal of Religion and Health, 52(4), 1333–1345. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-012-9620-y
10.1007/s10943-012-9620-y
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
Paris, K. A., & Pace, T. M. (2000). Development of the attitudes toward mental health services scale [Unpublished Manuscript]. University of Oklahoma.
Google Scholar
Phang, C. K., Marhani, M., & Salina, A. A. (2010). Prevalence & experience of contact with traditional healers among patients with first-episode psychosis in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 19(2), 7–12.
Google Scholar
Razali, Z. A., Rahman, N. A. A., & Husin, S. (2018). Complementing the treatment of a major depressive disorder patient with Ruqyah Shar'iyyah therapy: A Malaysian case study. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 12(2), 45–53. https://doi.org/10.3998/jmmh.10381607.0012.204
10.3998/jmmh.10381607.0012.204
Web of Science® Google Scholar
Ryder, A. G., Alden, L. E., & Paulhus, D. L. (2000). Is acculturation unidimensional or bidimensional? A head-to-head comparison in the prediction of personality, self-identity, and adjustment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79(3), 49–65. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.79.1.49
10.1037/0022-3514.79.1.49
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
Sudan, S. (2017). Principles of islamic counseling and psychotherapy. Asian Journal of Management Sciences & Education, 6(3), 129–138.
Google Scholar
Takyar, D. (2019). When interest doesn't turn into action: Discrimination, group identification, and muslim political engagement in the post-9/11 era. Social Psychology Quarterly, 82(3), 231–253. https://doi.org/10.1177/0190272519853542
10.1177/0190272519853542
Web of Science® Google Scholar
Tanhan, A., & Young, J. S. (2021). Muslims and mental health services: A concept map and a theoretical framework. Journal of Religion and Health, 61, 23–63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01324-4
10.1007/s10943-021-01324-4
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
Weatherhead, S., & Daiches, A. (2010). Muslim views on mental health and psychotherapy. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 83, 75–89. https://doi.org/10.1348/147608309X467807
10.1348/147608309X467807
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
Zia, B., & Mackenzie, C. S. (2021). Internalized stigma negatively affects attitudes and intentions to seek psychological help among western Muslims: Testing a moderated serial mediation model. Stigma and Health, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000314
10.1037/sah0000314
Google Scholar

Volume79, Issue4

April 2023

Pages 1208-1222

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

Abstract

Background

Aims

Materials and Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Open Research

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

REFERENCES

References

Information

About Wiley Online Library

Help & Support

Opportunities

Connect with Wiley

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

Abstract

Background

Aims

Materials and Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Open Research

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

REFERENCES

References

Related

Information