Abstract
Introduction: Migration to a new country and/or environment with different values, morals, culture, and language are all factors which contribute to the continual rise of mental health disorders in the immigrant population. Understanding the barriers and beliefs of this population from their perspective is imperative to having a positive mental health outcome.
Methodology: A Quality Improvement project was conducted, utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act model, an inductive thematic analysis and iterative process guided this qualitative project. Data was collected from 12 participants, through a 10 question semi-structured questionnaire, for four months through convenience sampling.
Results: Themes identified were Stigma, Mental Health Literacy and Knowledge, and Barriers and Beliefs.
Discussion: Insight into the different cultural differences in mental health knowledge, identification, and symptom management, allowed for individualized culturally competent care when meeting the needs of this population.
Notes
Reference list included in attached slide deck.
Sigma Membership
Beta Iota, Lambda Epsilon
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Quality Improvement
Research Approach
Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice
Keywords:
Interprofessional, Interdisciplinary, Public and Community Health, Competence, Clinical Practice, Workplace Culture, Mental Health, Immigrants, Barriers, Stigma, Culture
Recommended Citation
Onuorah, Ujaranne Renee James, "Understanding Beliefs and Barriers to Seeking Mental Health Care Amongst Immigrant Population" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 76.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/76
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-11-26
Understanding Beliefs and Barriers to Seeking Mental Health Care Amongst Immigrant Population
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Introduction: Migration to a new country and/or environment with different values, morals, culture, and language are all factors which contribute to the continual rise of mental health disorders in the immigrant population. Understanding the barriers and beliefs of this population from their perspective is imperative to having a positive mental health outcome.
Methodology: A Quality Improvement project was conducted, utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act model, an inductive thematic analysis and iterative process guided this qualitative project. Data was collected from 12 participants, through a 10 question semi-structured questionnaire, for four months through convenience sampling.
Results: Themes identified were Stigma, Mental Health Literacy and Knowledge, and Barriers and Beliefs.
Discussion: Insight into the different cultural differences in mental health knowledge, identification, and symptom management, allowed for individualized culturally competent care when meeting the needs of this population.
Description
Understanding the barriers and beliefs of this population from their perspective is imperative to having a positive mental health outcome, improve the quality of care for immigrant patients, increase cultural awareness of the multidisciplinary providers, improve mental healthcare while providing culturally competent care.