title: Cross-national comparison of Middle Eastern university students: help-seeking behaviors, attitudes toward helping professionals, and cultural beliefs about mental health problems.
abstract: This study is the first to use identical data collection processes and instruments in Egypt, Kuwait, Palestine, and Israeli Arab communities regarding help-seeking behaviors and attitudes towards perceived cultural beliefs about mental health problems. Data is based on a survey sample of 716, undergraduate students in the 4 countries, 61% female and 39% male. Results indicate that respondents within the various countries, based on nationality, gender and level of education, vary in terms of recognition of personal need, beliefs about mental health problems (i.e. stigmatization), and the use of traditional healing methods versus modern approaches to psychiatric therapy. The conclusion discusses differences between our respondents' expectations and prevailing mental health service provision and delivery.
authors.affiliation: Spitzer Department of Social Work, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. alean@bgu.ac.il
authors.forename: Alean
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Krenawi
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Eman A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Al-Bedah
authors.forename: Hafni Mahmud
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kadri
authors.forename: Mahmud A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sehwail
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018912:Arabs; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003469:Culture; D003625:Data Collection; D004534:Egypt; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D007730:Kuwait; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult