Depression among Muslims in the United States: Examining the Role of Discrimination and Spirituality as Risk and Protective Factors: Table 1:

Abstract

Depression is a widespread challenge that affects people in all cultures. Yet, despite the growth of the Muslim population in the United States, little research has been conducted on this topic with members of this cultural group. To address this gap in the literature, the present study examines the effect of discrimination and spirituality on depression with a sample of self-identified Muslims (N = 269). Consistent with our expectations, discrimination was a risk factor and spirituality was a protective factor. For instance, Muslims who reported being called offensive names were more likely (odds ratio [OR] = 3.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.82, 6.32) to report clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms compared with those who were not called offensive names, whereas saying daily prayers was associated with a lower likelihood of reporting elevated levels of symptoms (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.55, 0.97). The article concludes with a discussion of the implication of the results as they intersect social work practice and of avenues for future research.

Perceived Racial/Ethnic Discrimination and Mental Health: a Review and Future Directions for Social Epidemiology

“…Among Asian Americans and Latinos exposed to discrimination, frequent religious attendance is associated with lower likelihood of major depression [15] and better self-rated mental health [73]. Moreover, Muslim Americans reporting higher levels of spirituality and increased practice of daily prayer show less likelihood of depression despite discrimination [74,75]. …”

Discrimination and Mental Health in a Representative Sample of African-American and Afro-Caribbean Youth

“…While effects of discrimination have been found in people from a number of minority population groups, including Asian 18–21 , Latino 22–26 , Native American 27,28 , Muslims 29,30 , and Arab-Americans 31 , most studies on the effects of racism and discrimination in the US have been conducted with African Americans and have not adequately looked at potential differences in different racial/ethnic subgroups. For example, individuals who are West Indian or Afro Caribbean have been underrepresented in medical and social science research, often being grouped together with American born African Americans despite significant historical and cultural differences.…”

Religious and social capital and health

“…However, because of a lack of research on the relationship between religiosity and most areas of physical health in muslim populations, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions. Hodge et al (2015) examined the effect of discrimination and spirituality on depression using a sample of self-identified muslims in the United States. they found that saying daily prayers was associated with a lower likelihood of reporting elevated levels of symptoms of depression.…”