title: Mental health perceptions and coping strategies of Albanian immigrants and their families.
abstract: This study examines the understudied mental health perceptions, treatment, and coping strategies of immigrants from the Republic of Albania to Southern California regarding themselves and their families. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with 12 Albanian immigrants residing in a large Southern California population center were conducted. The transcripts of these interviews were analyzed. The constant-comparative method was used to analyze the data obtained from the interviews. Thirteen themes describing the perceptions and attitudes of Albanian immigrants about coping strategies, mental health, and mental health issues emerged. Themes are discussed in the context of existing literature, and implications for practice, research, and limitations are presented.
authors.affiliation: Marital and Family Therapy Programs, California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, San Diego, California 92131-1799, USA. helenadc88@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Helena D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Dow
authors.forename: Scott R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Woolley
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000415:Albania / Q000208:ethnology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002140:California; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D012951:Socialization; D029181:Spirituality