Determinants of intentions to seek formal mental health help among Palestinian adolescents in Israel.

BACKGROUND: Mental health challenges are widespread among adolescents undergoing significant physical, emotional, social, and academic changes. However, rates of formal help-seeking remain low, particularly among those from ethnic minorities. AIMS: This study investigated the determinants of intentions to seek formal mental health help among Palestinian adolescents in Israel, focusing on mental health literacy (MHL) and trust in formal sources of information. METHODS: A total of 178 adolescents (Mage = 16.24 ± 1.24 years, 61.8% female) completed measures assessing intention for formal help-seeking, psychological distress, MHL, trust in formal sources of information, sociodemographic, and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Findings revealed low levels of intention to seek formal help and psychological distress, alongside average or above-average levels on all MHL dimensions and trust in formal sources for information. Our analysis identified socioeconomic status (ß = .17, p < .05), psychological distress (ß = .18, p < .05), trust in formal sources of information (ß = .28, p < .001), and two MHL dimensions: knowledge of where to seek information (ß = .25, p < .01) and attitudes that promote recognition or appropriate help-seeking behavior (ß = .16, p < .05) - as the main determinants of intention for formal help-seeking. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the critical role of trust in formal sources of information and MHL in seeking formal help among adolescents from ethnic minorities. Interventions aiming to improve access to mental health-related information, address and enhance attitudes, and foster trust in formal professionals and institutions may contribute to an increased tendency for formal mental health help-seeking among this population and others.

Post-migration stress, quality of life, and mental health among accompanied and unaccompanied young refugees in Germany: How do adolescents feel after fleeing?

This study examines the impact of post-migration living difficulties (PMLDs) and quality of life (QoL) on the mental health of 55 young refugees who arrived in Germany either accompanied or unaccompanied. The results reveal that nearly 62% of the participants exhibited clinically significant symptoms of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Regression analyses indicate that psychopathology was associated with being unaccompanied and experiencing lower QoL, while QoL was associated with higher economic status and lower PMLDs. Mediation analysis further demonstrates that higher economic status and reduced PMLDs were associated with higher QoL, which, in turn, correlated with lower levels of psychopathology. These findings emphasise the importance of considering PMLDs and QoL, as well as economic status and being accompanied/unaccompanied, in the assessment and treatment of young refugees in the host country.

Exploring the Bereavement Experience Due to COVID-19 Death Among Arabs in Israel.

This study examined the experience of bereavement because of COVID-19 among the Arab minority in Israel, based on the two-track model of grief, using a qualitative approach. The data was collected in an in-depth interview with 34 participants representing the three religions in the Arab population in Israel, approximately 1 year after the loss occurred. The findings revealed that most participants reported returning to their previous function almost completely, exclusively in the field of work. However, they reported decreased social functioning and feelings of loneliness and sadness, and some reported manifestations of active and traumatic grief. Some findings may create a false impression that the mourners have gone through the loss process and returned to normal. However, the current study's findings refute this conclusion, which requires appropriate treatment from health professionals.

Family resilience, social support, and family coherence among Jewish, Muslim, and Druze widows who lost their spouses to sudden death.

In this cross-sectional study, regressions and multivariate analyses of covariance were used to assess group differences regarding family resilience, family coherence, and social support among 184 widows from three cultural groups in Israel: Druze (n = 66), Jewish (n = 59), and Muslim (n = 59). Druze widows had the lowest social support, but no differences were found between groups regarding family resilience or family coherence. Social support was positively associated with education and living in a city, beyond group. Social support and family coherence were positively associated with family resilience, beyond group. The discussion addresses cultural changes among the three groups.

Mental health literacy among Arab university students in Israel: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: There has been a noticeable increase in the number of studies concerned with mental health literacy (MHL), specifically among students. Still, very few studies have examined MHL among students of non-Western minority groups. AIMS: This study examined MHL among Arab students in Israel based on Jorm's conceptual framework. METHODS: Twenty-eight Arab students in Israel took part in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Most were single and Muslim, in their second year of studies, and most reported low socioeconomic status. The data were analyzed thematically, guided by the Jorm's six MHL dimensions. RESULTS: Different levels of literacy were found in the various MHL dimensions. The participants identified severe mental disorders more easily than mood disorders; reported a variety of possible causes of mental disorders; were well aware of available professional help (apart for rehabilitative services); identified significant barriers to mental health help seeking, as Arabs; and reported the internet as a major source of information about mental health problems and their treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The participants' MHL appeared to be associated with their unique sociocultural characteristics. This study stresses the need to raise MHL among Arab students in Israel, and in particular to promote positive attitudes to seeking professional help. It also highlights the need to develop culturally adapted mental health interventions for the Arab population in Israel.

Theory of Planned Behavior: Exploring the Use of Digital Mental Health Interventions in Israel.

ABSTRACT: Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study aimed to examine factors influencing therapist uptake of digital mental health interventions in Israel. Two hundred twenty-nine mental health professionals recruited through a convenience sample completed a background and demographic questionnaire, as well as the TPB-based electronic-therapy attitudes and process questionnaire. Regressions were used to examine the contribution of attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and behavioral intentions. Intention to use and use of digital interventions were significantly predicted by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, as suggested by the TPB. The use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and higher perceived behavioral control increased the likelihood of using digital interventions. Having a positive attitude, having expectations/social pressure from one's professional environment, and having a sense of control over the process were found to predict the intent to use, as well as the actual use of, digital interventions.

Ethnic group and social support contribution to posttraumatic growth after sudden spousal loss among Jewish, Muslim, and Druze widows in Israel.

This study aimed to examine the contribution of ethnic group status and social support to posttraumatic growth (PTG) among widows after sudden spousal loss. Participants included 184 widows from three ethnic groups: 59 (32.3%) Jewish, 58 (31.7%) Muslim, and 66 (36%) Druze. Information was gathered via a demographic questionnaire, PTG Inventory, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Analysis of covariance was used to test ethnic group status differences in social support, controlling for demographic variables. Hierarchical linear models were used to assess groups differences in the study outcome variables. The results showed that the PTG total score was higher for Jewish widows than for Muslim and Druze widows, with a null difference between the latter two, and social support contributed to increased PTG among Jewish widows more than among Muslim and Druze widows, with no significant association between social support and PTG among Druze widows. The highest PTG levels were observed among widows from modern individualistic cultural backgrounds, compared with traditional collectivist, cultural backgrounds after sudden spousal death. The social support system may be a pathway to enhance PTG among widows in traditional collectivist societies.

Re-building Trust after Physical Restraint During Involuntary Psychiatric Hospitalization.

This study attempted to identify the elements which might best minimize the negative consequences of restriction of inpatients and rebuild therapeutic alliance and trust. Through in depth interviews with 15 psychiatric patients who had experience restrained during the last involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. Analysis of the data revealed three major themes with regard to trust between restrained patient and restraining staff members during restriction of the patient's freedom. Duration of Restriction, Contact with a Staff Member while Restrained, Supportive Interactions and Staff's Response to Restricted Patients' Needs were reported by patients as crucial in determining the way restrained is experienced and its later impact. Physical restraint in psychiatric hospitalizations generates many negative feelings and can even be traumatic. The patients interviewed help us learn how to provide more human and therapeutic interactions even in extreme situations of restrain which can be crucial to rebuild therapeutic alliance and trust.

Training Arab Practitioners in Culturally Sensitive Mental Health Community Interventions.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the immediate outcome of Feeding Disorders (FD) in preschoolers referred to the family treatment program Cerco Asilo. METHOD: 21 children (mean age [SD=1]: 39 months [1]; range 9-65 months) with a diagnosis of FD were included in the treatment for 24 weeks. Specifically, seven subjects were diagnosed with Infantile Anorexia (IA), nine subjects with Sensory Food Aversion (SFA), and five subjects with Feeding Disorder of Caregiver-Infant Reciprocity (FDCIR). RESULTS: The great majority of patients with SFA and with FDCIR resolved the FD, whereas children with IA did not respond well to the treatment. LIMITATIONS: The study's main limitations are the relatively small sample size, and the lack of a control group. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that changes in the parentchild relationship could generally promote FD resolution, other than IA. These data may have implications for clinical practice suggesting the need to develop ad hoc intervention protocols tailored to children with IA and their families.