ABSTRACT

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore the social factors that contribute to the mental health challenges that Somali young adults endure.

Design

In a two-phase qualitative approach carried-out in the San Diego area, in phase-I, we conducted exploratory interviews with key-informants including clinicians and local Somali leaders (n = 7) who are familiar with the challenges of young Somalis. This information was then augmented through a focus group discussion with Somali young adults (n = 4) to gain further contextual knowledge and for access to the larger community of young people for phase-II. In this second phase, we carried-out individual interviews with 21 Somali young adults. Interviews covered topics including the social factors influencing their mental health, typical strategies for coping with psychological distress, barriers to seeking professional mental health services, and suggestions for combating mental health problems affecting young Somalis.

Results

Participant narratives indicate that psychological distress (depression and posttraumatic stress disorder) are highly pervasive, and that shame, acculturative stress and ethnic discrimination as well as parents’ dismissive reactions to their children’s emotional problems perpetuate mental health problems. Coping strategies included support from friends, religious activities, and playing soccer. Suggestions for addressing their challenges centered on engagement from their own community to advocate for mental health.

Conclusions

Implications of this study are discussed in the context of bridging intergenerational and acculturation divides to deliver culturally competent interventions that improve the mental health and well-being of Somali young adults and aid them in their adjustment to the U.S.

中文翻译：

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文化适应压力、污名和心理健康挑战：来自圣地亚哥县“小摩加迪沙”的索马里年轻人的主流观点

摘要

目标

本研究的目的是探索导致索马里年轻人承受的心理健康挑战的社会因素。

Design

In a two-phase qualitative approach carried-out in the San Diego area, in phase-I, we conducted exploratory interviews with key-informants including clinicians and local Somali leaders (n = 7) who are familiar with the challenges of young Somalis. This information was then augmented through a focus group discussion with Somali young adults (n = 4) 获得更多的背景知识，并在第二阶段接触到更大的年轻人社区。在第二阶段，我们对 21 名索马里年轻人进行了单独访谈。访谈涵盖的主题包括影响他们心理健康的社会因素、应对心理困扰的典型策略、寻求专业心理健康服务的障碍以及应对影响索马里年轻人的心理健康问题的建议。

结果

参与者的叙述表明心理困扰（抑郁和创伤后应激障碍）非常普遍，羞耻、文化适应压力和种族歧视以及父母对孩子情绪问题的不屑一顾的反应使心理健康问题长期存在。应对策略包括朋友的支持、宗教活动和踢足球。解决他们挑战的建议集中在他们自己的社区参与倡导心理健康。

结论

本研究的意义在弥合代际和文化适应鸿沟的背景下进行了讨论，以提供具有文化能力的干预措施，改善索马里年轻人的心理健康和福祉，并帮助他们适应美国