Ethnic differences in Muslim women's mental health beliefs, rejection attitudes, and familiarity with professional mental healthcare

Prior work on Muslims' mental health help-seeking factors has emphasised their rejection attitudes, religious and cultural beliefs, and familiarity with mental health. However, no research has examined differences in these factors across different Muslim ethnic groups, and particularly among Muslim women. A sample of 1214 Muslim women living in the USA completed online questionnaires. Data was stratified based on history of mental health visits to control for previous service utilisation. MANOVAs assessed ethnic group differences in beliefs, familiarity, and rejection attitudes toward professional mental healthcare. Results revealed significant differences between ethnic groups in all three factors; these differences depended on the women's history of service utilisation. Findings suggest that barriers to accessing professional mental healthcare differ among Muslim ethnic groups. Results are discussed in light of clinical implications and other contributing factors to the underutilisation of professional mental healthcare among ethnically diverse American Muslim women.