Title : A mixed methods study–assessing mental health stigma, attitudes, and perception amongst Nigerian immigrants within the United States
Abstract:
Mental health is an imperative aspect of wholistic health, well-being, and overall health outcomes for all of as humans. Yet, in many nations and global cultures mental health faces neglect, scrutiny, and stigmatism. In the nation of Nigeria, mental health and mental illness conditions are continuously rising and burdening many population members (Adewuya & Makanjuola, 2008; Ezeobele et al., 2010). As described by the World Health Organization (WHO), stigma is a hidden burden of disease as it hinders medical care causing significant physical, psychological, and social impacts on health and well-being; therefore, it is imperative to understand culturally- specific indicators of stigma to improve culturally-tailored health education related to mental health (Akbari et al., 2023). Across the United States, Nigerian immigrants are one of the fastest growing sub-Saharan African immigrant cultural groups. Despite the rising number of Nigerians across the United States, there is little understanding, research, and literature identifying cultural and ethnographic perspectives of mental health through the lens of Nigerian immigrants (Adewuya & Makanjuola, 2008; Ekwemalor & Ezeobele, 2020; Jegede, 1981). Therefore, findings from this adds to the body of literature by assessing the intersection of mental health, perception, stigma, and the influence of Nigerian culture via a mixed-methods design. Through this work and findings, this can better inform culturally- tailored health education strategies and interventions to improve overall mental health awareness, prevention, treatment, and management for Nigerian immigrants residing in The United States.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- Understand intersection of health education, stigma, mental health for individuals who represent the Nigerian Culture
- Expanded research areas for faculty to understand the role of acculturation and immigration on various aspects of mental health stigma and perception
- Increased mental health awareness, prevention, and treatment for marginalized population groups
- Assessing innovative ways to decrease stigma and improve overall mental health perception and management for Nigerian immigrants residing within the United States
- Creating culturally-sensitive methods for addressing health education and stigma related to mental health
