On the front lines of the Muslim mental health crisis: Risk of Psychosis, High Suicide, Low Help-seeking, and the vulnerability of Converts to Islam
1 - (Sym 124) Ethnic and Religious Identity, Stigma, and Trauma: Psychotic Disorders in Middle Eastern and North African Populations
Sunday, November 20, 2022
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM EST
Location: Gramercy, 7th Floor
Keywords: Underserved Populations, Community-Identified Problems, Mental Health Disparities Recommended Readings: Ciftci, A., Jones, N., & Corrigan, P. W. (2013). Mental health stigma in the Muslim community. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 7(1). Casey, P. M. (2018). Stigmatized identities: Too Muslim to be American, too American to be Muslim. Symbolic Interaction, 41(1), 100-119.
Background: As of 2010, Muslims make up 93% of the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) region, yet have been historically understudied due to erasure in key demographic questionnaires as well as in psychological research, leading to treatment gaps regarding their culturally specific trauma. Even less is known on why or how MENA populations develop psychotic experiences. Significant predictors of psychosis include exposure to traumatic events. Thus, it important to study the prevalence and determinants of psychotic experiences in MENA, particularly in Muslim populations. This review examines ethnic trauma, which includes acculturative stress and discrimination, as well as religious stigma and identity as a critical moderating variable for symptoms of psychosis.
Methods: We conducted an extensive literature review examining discrimination, stigma and psychosis within the international literature specifically regarding MENA and Muslim individuals
Results: A review identified 18 studies examining ethnic and religious identity, trauma, or stigma and psychosis in MENA populations, underscoring the lack of research in this area. Each publication supported the view that traumatic life experiences are associated with increased symptoms of psychosis. The literature also linked psychosocial factors, like migration, ethnic identity, and religious identity to an increase in psychotic experiences in MENA populations. The literature revealed the increase in stigma MENA populations face due to the lack of resources for and acceptance of psychosis within their culture, family, and religious structures.
Discussion: Through centering MENA and Muslim identities and experience, we urge for future research to examine the relationship of ethnic trauma with experiences of psychosis. This research not only promotes the inclusion of an understudied ethnic and religion identity, but also presents a public health concern for MENA populations who are unable to access resources that may promote resiliency and protection. Cross-cultural interventions are needed to address this social justice issue and to better understand the risk and protective factors for this given population.