Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Services

Advisor

Jamuir Robinson

Abstract

Mental health illnesses are the leading causes of disability worldwide with one in every five people suffering from mental illness in the United States. African Immigrants are the fastest growing immigrant group in the United States, yet their mental health care use remains relatively low. African immigrants face stressors that may lead them to be more prone to mental illness, yet they depend on religion and family support rather than formal mental health care. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the impact of religion on mental health care use among African immigrants in the United States. The theory of planned behavior provided the framework for the study. Data were collected from 10 African immigrant participants living in the United States using semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis was used with a deductive approach to gain perception of the data. There were three emerging themes from the study: perception of mental illness, treatment of mental illness, and the role of religion in mental illness. The study findings noted that religion was a barrier to mental health care use due to the heavy cultural and religious associations African immigrants had in the interpretation of mental illness. The results can be used to increase cultural competence among healthcare providers regarding mental illness and African immigrants as well as promote collaboration between healthcare and African religious sectors in the United States. The study contributes to a positive social change by providing information such as increased awareness and cultural sensitivity, that can be used to improve mental health care among African immigrants in the United States.

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