Self‐reported physical and psychological symptoms among victims and perpetrators of bullying in Arab American Adolescents

The Perception and Roles of School Mental Health Professionals Regarding School Bullying (Suluk Audwani) in Oman: A Qualitative Study in an Urban Setting

With increasing mental health risks among school populations and prevalent bullying, school mental health professionals (SMHP) are crucial globally. This study explores the perspectives of SMHP on bullying in Omani schools, focussing on definitions, types, current practices, and future strategies. Involving 50 Omani SMHP from Muscat Governorate with at least three years of experience, data was collected through structured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis. Six key themes emerged: The definition of bullying, its components, common types, current anti-bullying practices, challenges, and future suggestions. Bullying, termed "سلوكعدواني" (Suluk Audwani), meaning aggressive behavior, includes five components: perpetrators, victims, harmful behavior, spectators, and psychosocial factors. Verbal bullying, physical bullying, and cyberbullying are common and vary by age. SMHP frequently employ awareness-raising and psychological first aid. Challenges include resistance from students and parents and institutional barriers. In the future, SMHP will emphasize greater awareness to effectively address Suluk Audwani. Oman has adopted international best practices to recruit SMHP. SMHP's perspectives on Suluk Audwani reflect both their training and Omani cultural influences. Future research should explore various social strata to improve evidence-based understanding and prevention of Suluk Audwani.

Association of adversities and mental health among first- and second-generation Arab American young adults

The prevalence of mental health problems among young adults is widely recognized. However, limited research has examined the mental health of Arab American young adults specifically. To address this gap in the literature, this study aimed to investigate the effects of multiple stressors including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), discrimination, and bullying victimization on the mental health of first- and second-generation Arab American young adults. The participants (N = 162) were recruited from a Midwest university using online and in-person methods. They were screened and completed a demographic questionnaire and self-report measures of ACEs, discrimination, bullying victimization, and mental health. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the effect of psychosocial stressors on mental health and the moderating effect of generation (first vs. second) on that relationship. Female gender, increased perceived discrimination, and more ACEs were associated with lower mental health scores (β = -0.316, p < 0.001, β = -0.308, p < 0.001, and β = -0.230, p = 0.002, respectively). There was a significant negative relationship between victimization and mental health for first-generation Arab Americans (β = -0.356, p = 0.010). However, that association all but disappeared for second-generation participants (β = 0.006, p = 0.953). The results highlight the impact of multiple adversities on Arab American young adults' mental health and indicate important nuances related to their generation in the association between bullying victimization and mental health. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Current and Cumulative Stress Experiences: A Model for Arab American Young Adults

BACKGROUND

The effect of multiple stressors on immigrant young adults' endocrine functioning and health outcomes has not been comprehensively investigated.

AIMS

This study tested a theoretical model of cumulative and current stressor effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQL) among Arab American young adults.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional design, we recruited 160 participants, ages 18 to 24 years, from an urban university in the Midwest. Cumulative stress was assessed by self-report measures of childhood adversity, bullying victimization, and perceived ethnic discrimination. Current perceived stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) while cortisol levels were measured in participants' hair. Structural equation modeling tested the effects of cumulative and current stress on cortisol and HRQL.

RESULTS

Cumulative stress was negatively associated with HRQL (standardized path coefficient = -.51, p < .05). Interestingly, however, cumulative stress was inversely associated with hair cortisol level (standardized path coefficient = -.51, p < .05). Current stress was positively associated with cortisol level (standardized path coefficient = .43, p < .05) and negatively associated with the mental HRQL (standardized path coefficient < -.37, p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Cumulative stress exhibited a different effect on HPA functioning from current perceived stress. Mental health was significantly impaired by both cumulative and current perceived stress. Implications for mental health nursing practice and research among Arab Americans are discussed.

Consequences of high school bullying on stress and health of Arab American college students

PROBLEM

Existing bullying research among Arab Americans is limited, focusing mainly on school-age adolescents and victimization. There is a lack of studies that examine retrospective bullying perpetration, bullying victimization, and physical fights during high school and their effect on current Arab American college students' stress and health outcomes. This study examines if bullying perpetration, bullying victimization, and physical fights during high school predict current stress and the physical and mental health of Arab American college students. In addition, we examined if perceived psychological stress mediates the relationships between bullying and fighting involvement and health.

METHODS

One hundred and sixty-two undergraduate Arab American college students were recruited from a Midwestern university and completed self-report measures of bullying, stress, and health (both physical and mental).

FINDINGS

Controlling for demographic variables, only high school victimization was significantly associated with current stress and physical and mental health. Stress fully mediated the relationship between victimization and health (both physical and mental).

CONCLUSIONS

Victimization during high school years may result in serious physical and mental health consequences during college years. However, perpetration and fighting may not have similar effects. Addressing stress among bullying victims may reduce the negative impact of this experience on immigrant Arab American college students. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

"Hope for a better tomorrow": Using photovoice to understand how Arab adolescents enact critical consciousness

We explore how Arab adolescents enact critical consciousness to improve their lives and better their community. Eleven first- and second-generation Arab adolescents participated in a Photovoice study and were asked to reflect on and take photos that represented their well-being, daily life, and sense of belonging and community. The participants discussed their photos over multiple group reflection sessions. Thematic analysis highlights how Arab adolescents make positive change in their community, aided by their connections to community, their awareness of structural challenges they and their communities face, and their sense of agency to make positive change. We contribute to the literature by offering a window into the lived experiences of critical consciousness among Arab adolescents, an underrepresented group in the critical consciousness literature. We also add to the growing body of evidence that highlights the importance of "everyday activism" when considering social change actions.

Cultural Considerations in Working with Arab American Youth

There is limited literature on Arab American mental health, particularly among youth. This chapter will provide an overview of the Arab American/MENA population, their migration to the United States, traditional Arab culture and values, Arab American youth identity, acculturation and acculturation stress, the impact of discrimination on Arab American youth, mental illness in Arab American youth, and cultural variables to consider in seeking help. This chapter will provide recommendations and cultural considerations when working with Arab American youth.

The Impact of 9/11 and the War on Terror on Arab and Muslim Children and Families

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There is a growing body of work that documents the impact of 9/11 and the war on terror on Arab and Muslim children and families. This review is designed to provide a brief overview and suggest new ways to better understand this understudied population.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several studies show anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiments at its highest levels since 9/11. There is strong evidence that Arab and Muslim children and families experience some of the highest levels of discrimination, and as a result, they report higher levels of mental health symptoms. Given the limited data, we need future studies (a) to focus on populations outside of the USA and Europe; (b) to use longitudinal designs; (c) to pay attention to within group variations by race, gender, social class, and immigration status; and (d) to use culturally validated instruments.