However, the importance of faculty mentoring in relation to other factors has not been empirically examined for ethnic and racial minority students (ERMS). Thus, we examined the contributions of satisfaction with faculty mentoring, satisfaction with financial support, incorporation of ethnic minority issues in classes, and dominant culture academic expectations to program satisfaction in ERMS enrolled in doctoral psychology programs. We found that mentoring, financial support, ethnic minority content, and academic socialization were each significantly related to program satisfaction. In addition, satisfaction with faculty mentoring had a unique and significant positive relation to program satisfaction over and above the contributions of each of the other three factors considered individually and in combination. Our findings support and extend previous research on the importance of faculty mentors for ERMS. Given the impact of faculty mentors, it is crucial for faculty to receive the necessary support, resources, and acknowledgment (e.g., tenure, promotion) to succeed in this vital role.

Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Muslims in the United States of America (MIA) have experienced increasing encounters with discrimination, hate crimes, and violence. This places them a higher risk for mental health symptoms. Although current research explores factors that impact mental health seeking behaviors of ethnic and racial minorities, there is a paucity of research examining the utilization of mental health services among religious minorities. The purpose of our study was to examine the relations between acculturation to Islamic values, acculturation to American values, and mental health seeking behaviors of MIA. We also sought to identify sources of support MIA utilize when experiencing religious adversity. We had three findings. First, we found a significant negative relation between Islamic values and likelihood of seeking mental health services. In other words, MIA who adhered to more Islamic values were less likely to seek mental health treatment. Second, we found a significant positive relation between acculturation to American values and the likelihood of seeking mental health services. Thus, MIA who were more acculturated to American values were more likely to seek mental health services compared to MIA who were less acculturated. Third, we found that the top ranked sources of support for MIA were family, self-care, religion (e.g., prayer), or not seeking support at all. MIA in our study were less likely approach friends, community (e.g., mosque), or professionals (e.g., therapy). The implications of our findings are discussed.