Sarah Mallik1, Joanna L Starrels2, Casey Shannon3, Kea Edwards4, Shadi Nahvi5. 1. Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Health System, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. Electronic address: smallik@montefiore.org. 2. Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Health System, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. Electronic address: joanna.starrels@einsteinmed.org. 3. Independent Researcher, USA. Electronic address: casey.r.shannon.phd@gmail.com. 4. Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Health System, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. Electronic address: kea.edwards@ucsf.edu. 5. Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Health System, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. Electronic address: snahvi@montefiore.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mainstream Islam prohibits alcohol and other drugs, yet substance use is prevalent in Muslim-American communities. Previous studies have not examined how imams, leaders of mosques, address substance use in their communities. This study aimed to explore imams' perspectives and approaches toward Muslim Americans with substance use disorders (SUD). METHODS: Qualitative study of imams in New York City recruited by convenience sampling. We conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews to address how imams perceive and address substance use. Using an inductive thematic analysis approach, we created an initial coding scheme which was refined iteratively, identified prominent themes, and created an explanatory model to depict relationships between themes. RESULTS: All imams described substance use within a shared underlying framework of religious prohibition of alcohol and other drugs. Their perceptions of individuals with SUD diverged between a focus on sin, shame, and social disruption vs. a focus on acceptance and forgiveness. Furthermore, imams diverged between conceptualizing their communities as comprising mosque-going individuals without SUD vs. broader communities that include individuals with SUD. While imams acknowledged how some imams' judgmental language toward SUD may perpetuate stigma, they also identified therapeutic approaches toward SUD: non-judgmental engagement, encouragement of recovery, prayer, and referral to resources. CONCLUSIONS: This study is among the first to illustrate the range of perceptions and approaches to substance use among Muslim American imams. These perceptions have potentially divergent impacts- shaming or assisting individuals with SUD. An understanding of these complexities can inform provision of culturally competent care to Muslim-American patients with SUD.
BACKGROUND: Mainstream Islam prohibits alcohol and other drugs, yet substance use is prevalent in Muslim-American communities. Previous studies have not examined how imams, leaders of mosques, address substance use in their communities. This study aimed to explore imams' perspectives and approaches toward Muslim Americans with substance use disorders (SUD). METHODS: Qualitative study of imams in New York City recruited by convenience sampling. We conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews to address how imams perceive and address substance use. Using an inductive thematic analysis approach, we created an initial coding scheme which was refined iteratively, identified prominent themes, and created an explanatory model to depict relationships between themes. RESULTS: All imams described substance use within a shared underlying framework of religious prohibition of alcohol and other drugs. Their perceptions of individuals with SUD diverged between a focus on sin, shame, and social disruption vs. a focus on acceptance and forgiveness. Furthermore, imams diverged between conceptualizing their communities as comprising mosque-going individuals without SUD vs. broader communities that include individuals with SUD. While imams acknowledged how some imams' judgmental language toward SUD may perpetuate stigma, they also identified therapeutic approaches toward SUD: non-judgmental engagement, encouragement of recovery, prayer, and referral to resources. CONCLUSIONS: This study is among the first to illustrate the range of perceptions and approaches to substance use among Muslim American imams. These perceptions have potentially divergent impacts- shaming or assisting individuals with SUD. An understanding of these complexities can inform provision of culturally competent care to Muslim-American patients with SUD.
Authors: Mala A Manickam; Mohd Hatta B Abdul Mutalip; Hamizatul Akmal Bt Abdul Hamid; Rozanim Bt Kamaruddin; Mohd Yusoff B Sabtu Journal: Asia Pac J Public Health Date: 2014-07-17 Impact factor: 1.399
Authors: Rusdi Abd Rashid; Khosrow Kamali; Mohammad Hussain Habil; Mohamed Hatta Shaharom; Tahereh Seghatoleslam; Majid Yoosefi Looyeh Journal: Int J Drug Policy Date: 2014-07-15