Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

School

Social Work

Advisor

Carlton Huff

Abstract

AbstractThis study addressed depression among older immigrant African Women in Metro West Massachusetts to better understand the causes and prevalence of depression among older women coming from Africa to live in the United States. The study situated older women to be above the age of 55 and focused on exploring the views of social workers in relation to issues of depression among these women. It addressed the factors that influence older immigrant African women’s adaptive capacity in Metro West Massachusetts, the mental health service social workers offer to older women from Africa living in the United States, how social workers assess the need for mental health services for their clients, and the service modifications social workers can introduce to enhance mental health service delivery for older women coming from Africa. These issues were investigated from the perspectives of the structural-functional theory, whereby data were collected using interviews. Data were transcribed, coded and theme developed. The sample size was limited to 12 participants who were selected using quota sampling. The findings obtained indicated that socioeconomic and cultural background; reasons for migrating; experiences before, during, and after migration; English language proficiency; stigma and marginalization; residential location; and individual characteristics are some of the factors that influence the adaptive capacity and mental health of older African women immigrants. These findings indicate that for positive social change social workers should focus on understanding these factors to enhance the effectiveness of their mental health service delivery.

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