The Imam's Role in Mental Health Promotion: A Study at 22 Mosques in New York City's Muslim Community

Predicting Reasons for Experiencing Depression in Pakistani and Palestinian Muslims: The Roles of Acculturation and Religiousness

“…For example, religiousness may reduce the level of internal, individually oriented reasons for experience depression by providing participants' lives with personal meaning and purpose (Koenig & Larson, 2001). This interpretation is supported by previous findings that, during times of substantial personal turmoil and distress, the Muslim community, and Islamic faith and practices in particular, serve as significant and central emotional resources (Abu-Ras et al, 2008;Abudabbeh, 2005;Ghorbani et al, 2007;Nath, 2005;Noor, 2008).…”

“…Findings suggest that individuals from diverse cultures have native theories regarding culturally appropriate methods of mental health treatment (e.g., Abu-Ras, Geith, & Cournos, 2008;Abudabbeh, 2005;Benish, Quintana, & Wamplold, 2011;Çirakoğlu et al, 2003;Fan, 1999;Furnham, Ota, Tatsuro, & Koyasu, 2000;Gureje, Lasebikan, Ephraim-Oluwanuga, Olley, & Kola, 2005;Hugo, Boshoff, Traut, ZunguDirwayi, & Stein, 2003;Nath, 2005). Research also suggests that individuals from diverse cultures exhibit symptoms of depression that are congruent with culturally held beliefs about psychological disorders (e.g., Crittenden et al, 1992;El-Islam et al, 1988;Furnham et al, 2000;Hamdi et al, 1997;Sayed, 2003;Tsai & Chentosova-Dutton, 2002;Yen et al, 2000).…”

“…Additionally, cultural groups' unique migratory experiences differentially impact the relationship between acculturation and psychosocial adjustment (Balls Organista et al, 2003). For example, the September 11 attacks and the United States' military involvement in the Middle East and Afghanistan have made Muslim individuals acutely aware of others' explicit and implicit prejudices (Abu-Ras et al, 2008). Perceived prejudice experienced during the acculturative process has been found to be predictive of psychosocial functioning (e.g., Rahman & Rollock, 2004), and evidence suggests that Muslims with higher U.S. acculturation perceive greater discrimination than Muslims with lower U.S. acculturation (Awad, 2010).…”

Acculturation, Acculturative Stress, Religiosity and Psychological Adjustment among Muslim Arab American Adolescents

“…Therefore, when working with a child, practitioners should consider whether the religious community has an important role in that child's life. Indeed, including cultural and religious consultants (e.g., the imam) may be important in the provision of services (Abu-Ras, Gheith, & Cournos, 2008).…”

American Muslim Marital Quality: A Preliminary Investigation

“…Professional marital therapy is an alternative, but studies suggest that American Muslims are reluctant to seek professional help because of concerns about the therapist's cultural and religious competence (Ahmed & Reddy, 2007;Hodge, 2005). American Muslim couples tend to turn instead to religious leaders for marital counseling (Bagby, Perl, & Froehle, 2001), but research indicates that less than half of these leaders have formal qualifications in a mental health field (Abu-Ras, Gheith, & Cournos, 2008;Ali, Milstein, & Marzuk, 2005). Thus, American Muslims who experience marital problems may have little recourse to trained, culturally-sensitive assistance.…”