Journal article
Improving the mental wellbeing of Arabic speaking refugees: an evaluation of a mental health promotion program
BMC psychiatry, Vol.20(1), pp.1-13
18/06/2020
PMID: 32552878
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Abstract
Background: Refugee populations have particularly high rates of mental health problems, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression. However, uptake of mental health care may be low even when severe depression and PTSD symptoms are present in individuals following resettlement. This is likely due, at least in part, to cultural influences on refugees' knowledge and beliefs about mental health problems and their treatment. We sought to provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of a culturally tailored mental health promotion program for Arabic-speaking refugees.
Methods: A total of 33 Arabic-speaking refugees resettled in South Western Sydney were recruited and completed intervention which consisted of weekly three-hour sessions for 4 weeks delivered in Arabic. Key aspects of mental health literacy, help-seeking intentions and levels of general psychological distress were assessed, by means of a self-report survey, pre-intervention, (immediately) post-intervention and 3 months following intervention.
Results: Of the 33 participants that completed the intervention, 31 completed the immediate post-intervention survey and 29 completed the 3 months follow-up survey. Improvements in most aspects of mental health literacy assessed were found immediately post-intervention and at follow-up, although only changes relating to stigmatising attitudes were statistically significant. Additionally, a statistically significant decrease in participants' levels of general psychological distress was observed immediately following the intervention, and this decrease was sustained at follow-up.
Conclusion: While further research employing a more rigorous study design and larger sample size will be needed, results of this initial trial suggest that a culturally tailored mental health promotion program targeting key aspects of mental health literacy can improve the mental health of Arabic-speaking refugees resettled in a Western nation.
Details
- Title
- Improving the mental wellbeing of Arabic speaking refugees: an evaluation of a mental health promotion program
- Creators
- Shameran Slewa-Younan - Western Sydney UniversityMolly McKenzie - Western Sydney UniversityRussell Thomson - Western Sydney UniversityMitchell Smith - South Western Sydney Local Health DistrictYaser Mohammad - Western Sydney UniversityJonathan Mond - Western Sydney University
- Publication Details
- BMC psychiatry, Vol.20(1), pp.1-13
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 13
- Grant note
- Funding for this research was provided from NSW Refugee Health Service, South Western Sydney Local Health District to Western Sydney University.
- Identifiers
- 991013398153602368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s). 2020
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article