title: Somali Refugees' Perceptions of Mental Illness.
abstract: Nearly 13% of the U.S. population is comprised of foreign-born individuals, with Somalis constituting one of the largest resettled groups. Research suggests that, among Somali refugees, rates of mental illness are high. Yet research shows Somalis underutilize mental health services. Understanding their perceptions of mental illness and its cures may help practitioners to design more effective treatments for this population. Thus, this pilot study investigated Somali refugees' perceptions of mental illness and its treatments. Using purposive sampling, this qualitative study interviewed 20 Somali refugees using a semi-structured interview guide. Qualitative analysis yielded participants' perceptions of mental illness through their descriptions of physical symptoms accompanying mental illness, the stigma of mental illness, causes of mental illness, medical and non-medical treatments for mental illness, spirit possession causing mental illness, and the Qur'an as treatment for mental illness. Such information may help practitioners in the United States approach Somali clients in the most culturally coherent manner.
authors.affiliation: a University of Utah College of Social Work , Salt Lake City , Utah , USA.
authors.forename: Joanna E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bettmann
authors.affiliation: b University of Utah College of Nursing , Salt Lake City , Utah , USA.
authors.forename: Deb
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Penney
authors.affiliation: c University of Maryland School of Social Work , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clarkson Freeman
authors.affiliation: a University of Utah College of Social Work , Salt Lake City , Utah , USA.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lecy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D012998:Somalia / Q000208:ethnology; D013240:Stereotyping
keywords: Somali refugee; mental health; mental illness; refugee mental health