Community-based participatory research to understand and promote immigrant mental health and well-being: Immigrants’ cultural perspectives

Authors

• F Williams
• M Elhabashy
• D Adzrago

Abstract

Background: Immigrants face various stressors that can impact their mental health and well-being in the U.S. However, their cultural beliefs, views, and understanding of mental health are distinctively different from the traditional U.S. perspectives. We applied community-based participatory research (CBPR) to understand mental health conditions (i.e., anxiety, depression, and stress) from the cultural perspective of Ghanaian immigrants in New York City.

Methods: We used a mixed-method approach and conducted one general listening session and a separate session in each New York City borough (N=5), along with 90 semi-structured interviews with adults aged ≥18 years between November 2023 and July 2024. Field notes were taken, and breakout group discussions and interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were coded and analyzed using NVivo software.

Results: Emergent themes include cultural shame, conflating health and religion, culture shock and disappointment, lack of understanding of mental health conditions, and navigating the complex U.S. healthcare system. Participants described significant cultural differences between Ghanaian and U.S. understandings of the three mental health conditions. They shared that the words “anxiety,” “depression,” and “stress” do not exist in the Ghanaian language. Overall, they described these mental health conditions as being “crazy” or “mad.” Majority mentioned that stigma and lack of mental health knowledge are barriers to symptom recognition and treatment-seeking.

Conclusion: CBPR enabled participants to have meaningful conversations that provided rich insights and nuanced perspectives on mental health conditions among Ghanaian immigrants living in New York City. Findings will guide intervention efforts to reduce mental health disparities.

Scientific Focus Area: Health Disparities

This page was last updated on Tuesday, August 6, 2024