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Bridi L, Kaki DA, Albahsahli B, Abu Baker D, Khan X, Aljenabi R, Bencheikh N, Schiaffino MK, Moore AA, Al-Rousan T. The influences of faith on illness representations and coping procedures of mental and cognitive health among aging Arab refugees: a qualitative study. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1083367. [PMID: 37223492 PMCID: PMC10200919 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1083367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Refugees experience higher rates of mental illness such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which are documented risk factors for dementia. Faith and spiritual practices have been shown to play a significant role in patients' understanding and coping with illness, however, this field of study among refugee populations remains lacking. This study aims to address this literature gap by examining the role of faith on mental health and cognitive health among Arab refugees resettled in Arab and Western countries. Materials and methods A total of 61 Arab refugees were recruited through ethnic community-based organizations in San Diego, California, United States (N = 29) and Amman, Jordan (N = 32). Participants were interviewed through in-depth, semi-structured interviews or focus groups. Interviews and focus groups were transcribed, translated, and coded using inductive thematic analysis and organized based on Leventhal's Self-Regulation Model. Results Faith and spiritual practices significantly impact participants' illness perceptions and coping procedures regardless of resettlement country or gender. Several themes emerged: (1) participants believe in the interdependent relationship between mental and cognitive health. (2) There is a self-awareness of the impact of the refugee experience and trauma on participants' mental health problems, leading to a belief of increased personal risk for developing dementia. (3) Spiritual fatalism (belief that events are predetermined by God, fate, or destiny) greatly informs these perceptions of mental and cognitive health. (4) Participants acknowledge that practicing faith improves their mental and cognitive health, and many read scripture to prevent dementia. (5) Finally, spiritual gratitude and trust are important coping procedures that build resilience among participants. Conclusions Faith and spirituality play an important role in shaping Arab refugees' illness representations and coping procedures of mental and cognitive health. Holistic public health and clinical interventions tailored to the spiritual needs of aging refugees and incorporating religion in prevention strategies are increasingly needed to improve the brain health and wellbeing of refugees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana Bridi
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Dahlia A. Kaki
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Behnan Albahsahli
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Dania Abu Baker
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- School of Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Xara Khan
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- School of Social Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Raghad Aljenabi
- School of Social Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Nissma Bencheikh
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Melody K. Schiaffino
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
- Center for Health Equity, Education, and Research, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Alison A. Moore
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Tala Al-Rousan
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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