Perceptions of mental health and illness amongst Australian Ismaili Muslim youth

Mitha, K., Adatia, S. and Tarik, M. (2024) Perceptions of mental health and illness amongst Australian Ismaili Muslim youth. Australian Psychologist, (doi: 10.1080/00050067.2024.2331594) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

Objective Extant research on mental health within Muslim communities reveals inequalities, with religio-cultural beliefs viewed as influencing experience, access to care, and treatment outcomes. Additionally, religious affiliation is a prominent marker of social identity amongst Muslim migrant communities. This study examined whether acculturative approaches and identity influence perceptions of mental ill health within a Muslim migrant community. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 Australian Muslim youth – six of whom were recent immigrants and five who were Australian-born/raised. Data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Two main themes were identified: 1) making sense of mental health, and 2) the influence of social representations. Sub-themes included: 1a) defining mental health, 1b) perceived determinants, 2a) “emotional” vs “factual”, and 2b) education through experience: personal encounters with mental illness. Conclusion Overall, faith and religion played an important role in conceptualisations of mental health for young Australian Muslims – alluding to the necessity of faith-sensitive mental health services for ethnic and religious minority communities.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The research was supported by a travel grant from The Institute of Ismaili Studies to facilitate data collection.
• Keywords: Australia, culture, mental health, Muslim, religion, youth.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mitha, Karim
• Authors: Mitha, K., Adatia, S., and Tarik, M.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Journal Name: Australian Psychologist
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 0005-0067
• ISSN (Online): 1742-9544
• Copyright Holders: Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s)
• First Published: First published in Australian Psychologist 2024
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence