Gendered Patterns in Depression and Anxiety among African Immigrants in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-405
Author(s):  
Samantha Escamilla ◽  
Sherinah Saasa
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
African Immigrants ◽  
The United States ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Gendered Patterns

Social exclusion, mental health, and social well-being among African immigrants in the United States

2021 ◽  
pp. 002087282096342
Author(s):  
Sherinah Saasa ◽  
David Okech ◽  
Yoon Joon Choi ◽  
Larry Nackerud ◽  
Tenesha Littleton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
African Immigrants ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Economic Exclusion ◽  
Social Work Interventions

This study examined the effects of social exclusion (socio-cultural and structural-economic exclusion) on the mental health and social well-being of African immigrants in the United States ( N = 409). We found that social exclusion increased depression and anxiety symptoms, decreased societal trust, increased subjective isolation, and increased worries about one’s safety among African immigrants. The results further indicated strong negative effects of discrimination on mental health and social well-being. The findings highlight the need for social work interventions that target discrimination and structural exclusionary mechanisms in efforts to improve the mental health and social well-being of African immigrants in the United States.

scholarly journals Longer Residence in the United States is Associated With More Physical Function Limitations in African Immigrant Older Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482097760
Author(s):  
Manka Nkimbeng ◽  
Yvonne Commodore-Mensah ◽  
Jacqueline L. Angel ◽  
Karen Bandeen-Roche ◽  
Roland J. Thorpe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Racial Discrimination ◽  
African Immigrants ◽  
The United States ◽  
African Immigrant ◽  
High Discrimination ◽  
The Mean

Acculturation and racial discrimination have been independently associated with physical function limitations in immigrant and United States (U.S.)-born populations. This study examined the relationships among acculturation, racial discrimination, and physical function limitations in N = 165 African immigrant older adults using multiple linear regression. The mean age was 62 years ( SD = 8 years), and 61% were female. Older adults who resided in the United States for 10 years or more had more physical function limitations compared with those who resided here for less than 10 years ( b = −2.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [–5.01, –0.23]). Compared to lower discrimination, those with high discrimination had more physical function limitations ( b = −2.51, 95% CI = [–4.91, –0.17]), but this was no longer significant after controlling for length of residence and acculturation strategy. Residing in the United States for more than 10 years is associated with poorer physical function. Longitudinal studies with large, diverse samples of African immigrants are needed to confirm these associations.

Searching and Making Meaning of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives of African Immigrants in the United States

2021 ◽  
pp. 002216782110224
Author(s):  
Angela U. Ekwonye ◽  
Nina Truong
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
African Immigrants ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Making Meaning ◽  
The Impact

African immigrants continue to be disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unclear how they are searching for and finding meaning in the face of this adversity. This study sought to understand how African immigrants in the United States are searching for and making meaning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted in-depth interviews remotely with 20 immigrants from West Africa (Nigeria and Ghana), East Africa (Somali and Rwanda), and Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo). The meaning-making model was used as a framework to understand the processes of coping during a significant, adverse life event. The study found that some participants attempted to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their global meaning by seeking answers as to why the pandemic occurred and creating positive illusions. Some redefined their priorities and reframed the pandemic in a positive light. Participants found meaning in the form of accepting the pandemic as a reality of life, appreciating events previously taken for granted, and making positive changes in their lives. This study’s findings can inform health care providers of the meaning-making processes of African immigrants’ and the need to assist them in their search for meaning.

Growing From Grief

2015 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Koblenz
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Bereaved Children ◽  
Loss Of A Parent

Currently, there are 2.5 million children in the United States who suffered the loss of a parent. Grieving children are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety compared with their nongrieving peers. Adults ( N = 19) who experienced a loss during childhood were interviewed to assess what was most helpful and most harmful in coping through the years following the death. The qualitative descriptions were coded and analysis of common themes determined. Five theoretical constructs were found: adjustment to catastrophe, support, therapy, continuing a connection with the deceased parent, and reinvestment. The findings have clinical applications for bereaved children, their families, and clinical programs targeting this population. The unique insights provide an emotionally salient expression of their experiences and provide a framework for how best to support this group.

The impact of perceived relationship to ancestors on the association between self-transcendence and psychopathology: A cross-cultural examination

2022 ◽  
pp. 136346152110490
Author(s):  
Simon Hanseung Choi ◽  
Clayton Hoi-Yun McClintock ◽  
Elsa Lau ◽  
Lisa Miller
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Self Transcendence ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact ◽  
India And China

Self-transcendence has been associated with lower levels of psychopathology. Most studies of self-transcendence have focused on samples of Western participants, and used scales addressing such concepts as self-awareness and feelings of oneness with the larger universe. However, a common Eastern notion of transcendence—perception of ongoing relationships with ancestors—has not been studied. We conducted a cross-cultural investigation of the association between self-transcendence, perceived degree of relationship to ancestors and depression and anxiety in the United States (N = 1499), China (N =  3,150), and India (N = 863). Degrees of perceived relationship to ancestors differed across countries, with the highest rates in India and China, and lowest rates in the United States. Self-transcendence was negatively associated with risks for depression and anxiety in the United States. In India, self-transcendence was also negatively associated with risks for depression and anxiety, and a strong perceived relationship with ancestors had further protective benefit. In China, those with a high level of perceived relationship to ancestors and a high level of self-transcendence exhibited lower levels of psychopathology. Results suggest that measures of relationship to ancestors might be included in future cross-cultural studies of transcendence.

Foreign Education, Underemployment, and Wellness

2021 ◽  
pp. 229-243
Author(s):  
Joseph O. Otundo ◽  
Jane A. Opiri
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
African Immigrants ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Us ◽  
Foreign Education

Although the number of African immigrants in the United States has steadily increased, there remains a gap in understanding their lived experiences in the context of employment and wellness. Using qualitative method, this study investigated underemployment and wellness among six foreign-educated African immigrants. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss three themes that emerged from this study. Study design utilized was grounded theory. Participants in this study held professional jobs before relocating to the US. Results suggest that despite excitement of migrating to the US, African immigrants experience myriad life events from the time they land until when they settle down. Yet, the adaptation mechanisms reported include social networking and social support. Thus, three themes that emerged from this study are occupational, emotional, and social wellness. From the findings, the authors developed underemployment versus wellness conceptual framework that can be used for future studies.

Foreign Education, Underemployment, and Wellness

2022 ◽  
pp. 1222-1236
Author(s):  
Joseph O. Otundo ◽  
Jane A. Opiri
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
African Immigrants ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Us ◽  
Foreign Education

Although the number of African immigrants in the United States has steadily increased, there remains a gap in understanding their lived experiences in the context of employment and wellness. Using qualitative method, this study investigated underemployment and wellness among six foreign-educated African immigrants. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss three themes that emerged from this study. Study design utilized was grounded theory. Participants in this study held professional jobs before relocating to the US. Results suggest that despite excitement of migrating to the US, African immigrants experience myriad life events from the time they land until when they settle down. Yet, the adaptation mechanisms reported include social networking and social support. Thus, three themes that emerged from this study are occupational, emotional, and social wellness. From the findings, the authors developed underemployment versus wellness conceptual framework that can be used for future studies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document