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Forray AI, Oltean O, Hanft-Robert S, Madzamba R, Liem A, Schouten B, Anthonissen C, Swartz L, Cherecheș RM, Higgen S, Hall BJ, Mösko M. Uncovering multi-level mental healthcare barriers for migrants: a qualitative analysis across China, Germany, Netherlands, Romania, and South Africa. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1593. [PMID: 38877460 PMCID: PMC11177472 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19046-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Forced displacement is a significant issue globally, and it affected 112 million people in 2022. Many of these people have found refuge in low- and middle-income countries. Migrants and refugees face complex and specialized health challenges, particularly in the area of mental health. This study aims to provide an in-depth qualitative assessment of the multi-level barriers that migrants face in accessing mental health services in Germany, Macao (Special Administrative Region of China), the Netherlands, Romania, and South Africa. The ultimate objective is to inform tailored health policy and management practices for this vulnerable population. METHODS Adhering to a qualitative research paradigm, the study centers on stakeholders' perspectives spanning microsystems, mesosystems, and macrosystems of healthcare. Utilizing a purposive sampling methodology, key informants from the aforementioned geographical locations were engaged in semi-structured interviews. Data underwent thematic content analysis guided by a deductive-inductive approach. RESULTS The study unveiled three pivotal thematic barriers: language and communication obstacles, cultural impediments, and systemic constraints. The unavailability of professional interpreters universally exacerbated language barriers across all countries. Cultural barriers, stigmatization, and discrimination, specifically within the mental health sector, were found to limit access to healthcare further. Systemic barriers encompassed bureaucratic intricacies and a conspicuous lack of resources, including a failure to recognize the urgency of mental healthcare needs for migrants. CONCLUSIONS This research elucidates the multifaceted, systemic challenges hindering equitable mental healthcare provision for migrants. It posits that sweeping policy reforms are imperative, advocating for the implementation of strategies, such as increasing the availability of language services, enhancing healthcare providers' capacity, and legal framework and policy change to be more inclusive. The findings substantially contribute to scholarly discourse by providing an interdisciplinary and international lens on the barriers to mental healthcare access for displaced populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Ioana Forray
- Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Center for Health Innovation, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Community Medicine, Discipline of Public Health and Management, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ovidiu Oltean
- Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Center for Health Innovation, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Saskia Hanft-Robert
- Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rowan Madzamba
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Andrian Liem
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Barbara Schouten
- Department of Communication Science, Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR), University of Amsterdam, Center for Urban Mental Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christine Anthonissen
- Department of General Linguistics, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Leslie Swartz
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Răzvan Mircea Cherecheș
- Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Center for Health Innovation, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Postgraduate Program for Bio-Behavioral Integrative Medicine (UBBMed), Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Sanna Higgen
- Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Brian J Hall
- Center for Global Health Equity, NYU Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Mike Mösko
- Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Applied Human Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal, Stendal, Germany.
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Subhas N, Mukhtar F, Munawar K. Adapting cognitive-behavioral therapy for a Malaysian muslim. Med J Islam Repub Iran 2021; 35:28. [PMID: 34169040 PMCID: PMC8214041 DOI: 10.47176/mjiri.35.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Over the years, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) has gained momentum because of its robust evidence in the treatment of several disorders. However, there is an issue of religious and cultural appropriateness as CBT principles are based on Western conceptualization. This single-case study (N = 1) implements a culturally and religiously adapted CBT on a 34-year-old male with panic disorder with agoraphobia in Malaysia. The client had symptoms comprising various episodes of sudden onset of breathlessness, accelerated heart rate, and fear of dying for the last 14 years. The CBT was culturally and religiously adapted based on (1) A CBT manual in Bahasa Malaysia that was previously modified and adjusted according to the norms of the Malaysian society and (2) General guidelines in "Religious-Cultural Psychotherapy in the Management of Anxiety Patients" by Razali et al in 2002. The present modified CBT had 3 assessments formulation sessions and 12 intervention sessions. Methods: The first 6 sessions were based on the behaviour component of CBT (ie, a relaxation technique using Islamic prayer, reciting verses from the Holy Quran, slow breathing exercise, body scan, and progressive muscular relaxation). However, sessions 7 to 12 were focused on cognitive restructuring and exercises, such as identification of negative automatic thoughts, cognitive distortions, dysfunctional thought records, vertical arrow technique, and the coping statement was practised through collaborative empiricism, while implementing Islamic and cultural elements. The focus of termination sessions was on interoceptive exposure, cognitive rehearsal, and in vivo situational exposure. Results: Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was administered at regular intervals. BAI scores revealed the effectiveness of adapting the intervention. Conclusion: Panic attacks, worry about panic attacks, and anxiety scores reduced remarkably and the client was able to go out of the house, travel independently, and pursue religious/social activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Subhas
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - Firdaus Mukhtar
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - Khadeeja Munawar
- Department of Psychology, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts, UCSI University Malaysia, UCSI Heights 1, Jalan Puncak Menara Gading, Taman Connaught, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Naeem F, Gobbi M, Ayub M, Kingdon D. Psychologists experience of cognitive behaviour therapy in a developing country: a qualitative study from Pakistan. Int J Ment Health Syst 2010; 4:2. [PMID: 20181039 PMCID: PMC2831026 DOI: 10.1186/1752-4458-4-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2009] [Accepted: 01/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychological therapies especially Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) are used widely in the West to help patients with psychiatric problems. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy has an established evidence base for the treatment of different emotional disorders. In spite of these developments in the developed world, patients in most developing countries hardly benefit from non pharmacological interventions. Although a significant number of psychologists are trained in Pakistan each year, psychological interventions play only a minor role in treatment plans in Pakistan. We conducted interviews with psychologists in Pakistan, to explore their experiences and their views on "providing CBT in Pakistan". These interviews were conducted as part of a project whose focus was to try to develop culturally-sensitive CBT in Pakistan. METHODS In depth semi structured interviews were conducted with 5 psychologists working in psychiatry departments in Lahore, Pakistan. RESULTS All the psychologists reported that psychotherapies, including CBT, need adjustments for use in Pakistan, although they were not able to elicit on these in details. Four major themes were discovered, hurdles in therapy, therapy related issues, involvement of the family and modification in therapy. The biggest hurdles in therapy were described to be service and resource issues. CONCLUSIONS For CBT to be acceptable, accessible and effective in Non Western cultures numerous adjustments need to be made, taking into consideration; factors related to service structure and delivery, patient's knowledge and beliefs about health and the therapy itself. Interviews with the psychologists in these countries can give us insights which can guide development of therapy and manuals to support its delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farooq Naeem
- Lahore Institute of Research and Development, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mary Gobbi
- Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Muhammad Ayub
- Psychiatry of Learning Disability, Tees Esk & Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust, Darlington, Durham, UK
| | - David Kingdon
- University Department of Psychiatry, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton, UK
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