Date of Conferral

2-14-2024

Date of Award

February 2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Scott Hersberger

Abstract

The California Pan- Ethnic Health Network has been undertaking community-driven research projects aimed at evaluating the immigrant communities’ barriers to accessing mental health care. The Department of Healthcare Services in Los Angeles County provides healthcare services to anyone and everyone in Los Angeles irrespective of their immigration status. My Health LA provides free healthcare services to immigrants 26 years and older who do not qualify for public health insurance like medical. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the challenges of Cameroonian immigrants when accessing mental health services in Los Angeles. The theoretical foundation of this study draws upon several relevant theories which provide a lens through which to understand the complexities of the challenges faced by Cameroonian immigrants when accessing mental health services in Los Angeles. By drawing upon these theories, developed by (Bronfenbrenner U., 2009), which emphasize individuals and their environments, and theories like intersectionality developed by (Crenshaw, 2019), which examines various social identities like race, gender, immigration status, etc., the study aims to generate insights into the multi-faceted factors influencing immigrants' access to mental health care and inform the development of culturally sensitive interventions and policies to address these challenges. The data collection was done through face-to-face interviews and a few over-the-phone interviews. The participants had to be Cameroonian male and female adults between the ages of 30 and 45 who reside in Los Angeles County. The data obtained in this study were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six steps to thematic analysis. The results showed that the factors that contribute to the challenges of Cameroonian immigrants when accessing mental health services in Los Angeles are mostly cultural beliefs (shame and guilt) to not expose past abuse and traumas, language barrier, lack of awareness of public services made available to them, the fear of being deported, discrimination, financial hardship, and isolation. The findings from my study may contribute to future researchers towards developing, informing, and creating awareness on mental health issues about this group of immigrants.

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