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Mental health literacy as a barrier and facilitator for service use: Qualitative inquiry among Palestinian Bedouins in Israel

Author

Listed:
  • Fareeda Abo-Rass
  • Sarah Abu-Kaf
  • Ora Nakash
  • Orna Braun-Lewensohn

Abstract

Background: Mental health literacy (MHL) has been related to health behaviors and outcomes. However, studies examining MHL as a barrier and facilitator to service use are limited, especially among minority groups. Aims: This study examined MHL as a barrier and facilitator to mental health service use among the Palestinian Bedouin minority in Israel. Methods: Twenty-five Bedouins (15 women) from southern Israel participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. The participants were recruited by publishing an ad on social media about the study, then through a snowball technique. The data were analyzed thematically using ATLAS.ti.9, and the intercoder reliability was 92%. Results: We identified four major themes in the interviews: (1) MHL as a barrier to service use, due to lack of knowledge about professionals in the field, mental health services, or reasons and risk factors for mental health problems; (2) traditional attitudes that acted as barriers to service use, including a preference for informal treatment, a lack of faith in mental health treatment, aversion to discussing private feelings, and the perception that mental health is a luxury; (3) MHL as a facilitator to service use by enabling accurate identification of mental distress and suggesting practical avenues for seeking help; and (4) ways to improve MHL that should be culturally sensitive and under the government agencies’ responsibility. Conclusions: Interventions aimed at increasing the use of mental health services among Bedouins and reducing racial/ethnic disparities should increase knowledge in culturally adapted ways, especially regarding professionals and services, and change negative attitudes such as mental health treatment as ineffective or bonus.

Suggested Citation

  • Fareeda Abo-Rass & Sarah Abu-Kaf & Ora Nakash & Orna Braun-Lewensohn, 2024. "Mental health literacy as a barrier and facilitator for service use: Qualitative inquiry among Palestinian Bedouins in Israel," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 70(4), pages 689-699, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:70:y:2024:i:4:p:689-699
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640231223433
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anwar Khatib & Fareeda Abo-Rass, 2022. "Mental health literacy among Arab university students in Israel: A qualitative study," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(7), pages 1486-1493, November.
    2. Tehila Kalagy & Sarah Abu-Kaf & Orna Braun-Lewensohn, 2021. "Effective Ways to Encourage Health-Care Practices among Cultural Minorities in Israel during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-13, September.
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