Liat Ayalon1, Khaled Karkabi2, Igor Bleichman3, Silvia Fleischmann4, Margalit Goldfracht5. 1. Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel liatayalon0@gmail.com. 2. Department of Family Medicine, Clalit Health Services Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. 3. Medical Social Work Department, Clalit Health Services. 4. Department of Nursing, Clalit Health Services. 5. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Quality Improvement Department, Medicine Section, Community Division, Clalit Health Services.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Israeli Arab women under-utilize mental health services. OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the use of alternative services for dealing with depression and anxiety among Israeli Arab women and primary care providers. MATERIAL: Four focus groups with primary care patients and two focus groups with primary care providers were conducted. Constant comparisons were employed in order to identify major themes related to informal help-seeking behaviors. DISCUSSION: Three informal help-seeking behaviors were identified: (a) social support, divided into extended family and neighbors versus nuclear family and close friends; (b) religiosity, divided into inner, direct practices and beliefs versus externally mediated ones; and (c) self-help techniques, such as engagement in activities and distancing oneself from the situation. Both social support and religiosity were viewed with ambivalence by primary care patients and providers. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the Arab population in Israel might be lacking informal sources of support at times of mental health needs.
BACKGROUND: Israeli Arab women under-utilize mental health services. OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the use of alternative services for dealing with depression and anxiety among Israeli Arab women and primary care providers. MATERIAL: Four focus groups with primary care patients and two focus groups with primary care providers were conducted. Constant comparisons were employed in order to identify major themes related to informal help-seeking behaviors. DISCUSSION: Three informal help-seeking behaviors were identified: (a) social support, divided into extended family and neighbors versus nuclear family and close friends; (b) religiosity, divided into inner, direct practices and beliefs versus externally mediated ones; and (c) self-help techniques, such as engagement in activities and distancing oneself from the situation. Both social support and religiosity were viewed with ambivalence by primary care patients and providers. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the Arab population in Israel might be lacking informal sources of support at times of mental health needs.
Authors: Mohammad Adawi; Howard Amital; Mahmud Mahamid; Daniela Amital; Bishara Bisharat; Naim Mahroum; Kassem Sharif; Adi Guy; Amin Adawi; Hussein Mahagna; Arsalan Abu Much; Samaa Watad; Nicola Luigi Bragazzi; Abdulla Watad Journal: PeerJ Date: 2018-03-14 Impact factor: 2.984