Rony Kayrouz1, Blake F Dear2, Luke Johnston2, Liliane Keyrouz3, Edmond Nehme3, Roy Laube4, Nickolai Titov2. 1. eCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia rony.kayrouz@students.mq.edu.au. 2. eCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 3. Quest for Excellence, Menai, NSW, Australia. 4. Transcultural Mental Health Centre, Parramatta, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the intergenerational and cross-cultural differences in emotional wellbeing and acceptability of psychological treatments for Arab Australians. AIM: To contribute to the emerging data about the mental health status and needs of Arab Australians. METHOD: An Internet survey examined psychological distress and functional impairment as measured by the Kessler 10 Item scale (K-10) and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) among Arab Australians. Additional questions enquired about their help-seeking behaviours, barriers to accessing psychological treatments and preferences for delivery of psychological treatments. A total of 252 participants were recruited through public talks, media and online promotions. RESULTS: Forty-three percent of the respondents reported moderate-to-severe functional impairment (M = 9.5; standard deviation (SD) = 1.8), 32% reported high psychological distress (M = 28.5; SD = 5.4) and 30% were born overseas. First-generation Arab Australians experiencing high psychological distress (i.e. K-10 ≥ 22), reported a greater preference for Internet-delivered treatment when compared to their second-generation counterparts. Only 18% of the sample reported seeking help from a mental health professional in the past year. The significant barriers reported by respondents with high psychological distress were poor mental health literacy, lack of time and stigma. Respondents preferred face-to-face (90%) over Internet-delivered treatment (55%). Finally, Arab Australians experienced higher psychological distress and underutilised mental health services when compared to the Australian population. CONCLUSION: Targeted public health campaigns that make culturally relevant interventions such as modifying existing Internet-delivered treatment for Arab Australians may reduce barriers and increase treatment options for this population.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the intergenerational and cross-cultural differences in emotional wellbeing and acceptability of psychological treatments for Arab Australians. AIM: To contribute to the emerging data about the mental health status and needs of Arab Australians. METHOD: An Internet survey examined psychological distress and functional impairment as measured by the Kessler 10 Item scale (K-10) and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) among Arab Australians. Additional questions enquired about their help-seeking behaviours, barriers to accessing psychological treatments and preferences for delivery of psychological treatments. A total of 252 participants were recruited through public talks, media and online promotions. RESULTS: Forty-three percent of the respondents reported moderate-to-severe functional impairment (M = 9.5; standard deviation (SD) = 1.8), 32% reported high psychological distress (M = 28.5; SD = 5.4) and 30% were born overseas. First-generation Arab Australians experiencing high psychological distress (i.e. K-10 ≥ 22), reported a greater preference for Internet-delivered treatment when compared to their second-generation counterparts. Only 18% of the sample reported seeking help from a mental health professional in the past year. The significant barriers reported by respondents with high psychological distress were poor mental health literacy, lack of time and stigma. Respondents preferred face-to-face (90%) over Internet-delivered treatment (55%). Finally, Arab Australians experienced higher psychological distress and underutilised mental health services when compared to the Australian population. CONCLUSION: Targeted public health campaigns that make culturally relevant interventions such as modifying existing Internet-delivered treatment for Arab Australians may reduce barriers and increase treatment options for this population.
Authors: Rony Kayrouz; Blake F Dear; Eyal Karin; Vincent J Fogliati; Milena Gandy; Liliane Keyrouz; Edmond Nehme; Matthew D Terides; Nickolai Titov Journal: Community Ment Health J Date: 2018-01-24
Authors: Maria Gabriela Uribe Guajardo; Shameran Slewa-Younan; Betty Ann Kitchener; Haider Mannan; Yaser Mohammad; Anthony Francis Jorm Journal: Int J Ment Health Syst Date: 2018-01-15
Authors: Shameran Slewa-Younan; Anisa Yaser; Maria Gabriela Uribe Guajardo; Haider Mannan; Caroline A Smith; Jonathan M Mond Journal: Int J Ment Health Syst Date: 2017-08-24
Authors: Jennifer Apolinário-Hagen; Mathias Harrer; Fanny Kählke; Lara Fritsche; Christel Salewski; David Daniel Ebert Journal: JMIR Ment Health Date: 2018-05-15