Mental Health Seeking Behavior Among Muslims in The United States of America

Abstract

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.

Role of Mosque Communities in Supporting Muslims with Mental Illness: Results of CBPR-oriented Focus Groups in the Bay Area, California

“…Despite experiencing sociopolitical stressors owing to their religious identity, many American Muslims still turn to religion to cope with mental health issues in addition to seeking formal treatment [9], [12], [15][16][17][18][19][20]. Research has shown that some Muslims perceive mental illness as a test from God, and Islam as a source of healing and strength [6].…”