A Qualitative Study of the Integration of Arab Muslim Israelis Suffering from Mental Disorders into the Normative Community

A Qualitative Study of the Integration of Arab Muslim Israelis Suffering from Mental Disorders into the Normative Community

By: Gesser-Edelsburg A., Shbat S.
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
SDGs : SDG 05  |  Units: Social Welfare & Health Sciences  | Time: 2017 |  Link
Description: This study focuses on the process of the integration of Arab Muslim Israelis suffering from mental disorders into the no rmative community, addressing perspectives of both people with mental disorders and the community. This qualitative-constructivist study seeks to understand the dynamics of face-to-face meetings by highlighting the participants’ points of view. The main themes of the findings included stereotypes and prejudices, gender discrimination, and the effect of face-to-face meetings on integration of people with mental disorders (PMD) into the community. The findings support former studies about the integration of PMD into the normative community, but add a unique finding that females suffer from double discrimination: both as women in a conservative society and as PMD. The study findings indicate a perception of lack of self-efficacy of PMD as a key barrier preventing integration into the community, which also prevents community members and counselors from accepting them or treating them as equals. We recommend on a social marketing campaign to be undertaken with the Arab Muslim community to refute stigmas and prejudices, particulary with double gender discrimination suffered by women with mental disorders in the Muslim community and training of community center counselors who have contact with the PMD population. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.