Perceptions On Mental Health In Black Caribbean Immigrant Populations In The United States

Download or read book Perceptions on Mental Health in Black Caribbean Immigrant Populations in the United States written by Kristyn O. Neckles and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 78 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Immigrants are a vulnerable population who is at increased risk for poor physical, psychological and social health with restricted and inadequate access to health-care (Derose, Escarce, & Lurie, 2007). While there has been increasing research highlighting the importance of understanding culture in the treatment and care of immigrant populations, considerable health-care disparities still exist (Chen & Vargas-Bustamante, 2011). Black Caribbean immigrant populations are especially vulnerable since research has been limited, and has not adequately accounted for the heterogeneity that exists within this population in order to address existing barriers to health-care (Wafula & Snipes, 2013). Evidently, within this immigrant population, perceptions of mental illness are still significantly impacted by religious and cultural beliefs leading to significant stigmatization of mental illness (Hickling, Robertson-Hickling, & Paisley, 2011). Unfortunately, as well, our understanding of stigma within Black Caribbean immigrant populations is still very much limited (Bathje & Pryor, 2011). This research involved an exhaustive literature review to understand the impact of acculturation, transnationalism, and legal status on the mental well-being of Black Caribbean immigrants.