Perspectives of Black Immigrant Women on Mental Health: The Role of Stigma

Background: Black immigrants are a major growing segment of the United States population. The intersection of race, gender, and migration places black immigrant women at the confluence of multiple social determinants of health, and thus, black immigrant women experience ongoing mental health dispari...

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Main Authors: Aderonke Bamgbose Pederson, Elizabeth M. Waldron, J. Konadu Fokuo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Mary Ann Liebert 2022-03-01
Series:Women's Health Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/WHR.2021.0071
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author Aderonke Bamgbose Pederson
Elizabeth M. Waldron
J. Konadu Fokuo
author_facet Aderonke Bamgbose Pederson
Elizabeth M. Waldron
J. Konadu Fokuo
author_sort Aderonke Bamgbose Pederson
collection DOAJ
description Background: Black immigrants are a major growing segment of the United States population. The intersection of race, gender, and migration places black immigrant women at the confluence of multiple social determinants of health, and thus, black immigrant women experience ongoing mental health disparities. Understanding their perspectives, mental health needs, and associated stigma is critical to promoting positive mental health outcomes. Methods: We conducted five focus groups (N?=?22) among women from two black immigrant community organizations from February 2019 to June 2019. We used an inductive driven thematic analysis to identify codes and themes related to mental health and the role of stigma. Results: Overall five core themes associated with mental health and associated stigma concepts were found: The critical role of trusted sources and confidentiality, Conceptualization of mental illness and anticipated discrimination, Acculturative influence and migration as a source of emotional distress, Spirituality as a source of support and source of stigma, and Management of mental illness and addressing stigma. Conclusion: The conceptualization of mental illness and the associated stigma may be rooted in cultural and religious belief systems among black immigrants. Cultural beliefs and biopsychosocial models can coexist positively without interrupting the pathway toward optimized engagement in mental health care. Our mental health systems need to take these factors into consideration to implement programs that effectively serve black immigrant women's mental health needs.
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spelling doaj.art-7da9d5a7a95742c1937d629b32549eb62024-01-26T05:56:39ZengMary Ann LiebertWomen's Health Reports2688-48442022-03-013130731710.1089/WHR.2021.0071Perspectives of Black Immigrant Women on Mental Health: The Role of StigmaAderonke Bamgbose PedersonElizabeth M. WaldronJ. Konadu FokuoBackground: Black immigrants are a major growing segment of the United States population. The intersection of race, gender, and migration places black immigrant women at the confluence of multiple social determinants of health, and thus, black immigrant women experience ongoing mental health disparities. Understanding their perspectives, mental health needs, and associated stigma is critical to promoting positive mental health outcomes. Methods: We conducted five focus groups (N?=?22) among women from two black immigrant community organizations from February 2019 to June 2019. We used an inductive driven thematic analysis to identify codes and themes related to mental health and the role of stigma. Results: Overall five core themes associated with mental health and associated stigma concepts were found: The critical role of trusted sources and confidentiality, Conceptualization of mental illness and anticipated discrimination, Acculturative influence and migration as a source of emotional distress, Spirituality as a source of support and source of stigma, and Management of mental illness and addressing stigma. Conclusion: The conceptualization of mental illness and the associated stigma may be rooted in cultural and religious belief systems among black immigrants. Cultural beliefs and biopsychosocial models can coexist positively without interrupting the pathway toward optimized engagement in mental health care. Our mental health systems need to take these factors into consideration to implement programs that effectively serve black immigrant women's mental health needs.https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/WHR.2021.0071black immigrantmental healthstigmaspiritualityacculturation
spellingShingle Aderonke Bamgbose Pederson
Elizabeth M. Waldron
J. Konadu Fokuo
Perspectives of Black Immigrant Women on Mental Health: The Role of Stigma
Women's Health Reports
black immigrant
mental health
stigma
spirituality
acculturation
title Perspectives of Black Immigrant Women on Mental Health: The Role of Stigma
title_full Perspectives of Black Immigrant Women on Mental Health: The Role of Stigma
title_fullStr Perspectives of Black Immigrant Women on Mental Health: The Role of Stigma
title_full_unstemmed Perspectives of Black Immigrant Women on Mental Health: The Role of Stigma
title_short Perspectives of Black Immigrant Women on Mental Health: The Role of Stigma
title_sort perspectives of black immigrant women on mental health the role of stigma
topic black immigrant
mental health
stigma
spirituality
acculturation
url https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/WHR.2021.0071
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