Exploring cross-cultural perspectives on adolescent mental health among Congolese immigrant adults in the USA and Belgium

• Published in: International journal of migration, health and social care health and social care, 2024-02, Vol.20 (1), p.32-45
• Main Authors: Martin Romero, Michelle Y., Johnson, Dorcas Mabiala, Mununga, Esther, Stein, Gabriela Livas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescents; African cultural groups; Assistants; Behavior; Behavior problems; Beliefs; Child & adolescent mental health; Child development; Children; Community; COVID-19; Cultural sensitivity; Cultural values; Health behavior; Health needs; Health problems; Health services; Health services utilization; Help seeking behavior; Immigrants; Immigration; Intervention; Interviews; Marginality; Medical personnel; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health care; Mental health professionals; Mental health services; Pandemics; Parent-child relations; Parents & parenting; Post traumatic stress disorder; Refugees; Regions; Religious behavior; Stigma; Trauma; Trust
• ISSN: 1747-9894; 2042-8650; 1747-9894
• DOI: 10.1108/IJMHSC-02-2023-0015

Purpose This paper aims to explore the intersection of cultural processes and immigration in parental understanding of adolescent mental health and mental health seeking behaviors among African immigrants in Western countries. The present study examines the perspectives of Congolese immigrant parents on adolescent mental health in Brussels, Belgium, and Raleigh, North Carolina, USA – two geographic regions with relatively large Congolese migrant populations. This study highlights a needed understanding of cultural and acculturative context in shaping the beliefs of Congolese immigrants and explores potential barriers of seeking health services. Additionally, it recognizes health issues among this underrepresented and underserved population. Design/methodology/approach Fifteen Congolese immigrant parents, eight in the USA and seven in Belgium, participated in structured qualitative interviews using an adapted version of Kleinman Questions and behavioral scenarios on depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and oppositional defiant disorder. Interviews were audio recorded, and participants were assigned pseudonyms to de-identify responses. English interviews were transcribed verbatim by a trained team of undergraduate research assistants, and French interviews were transcribed verbatim by the first author and a graduate research assistant. Following transcription, the first and second authors used a rapid analytic approach (Hamilton, 2013). The first and second authors conducted a matrix analysis to observe thematic patterns. Findings Parents interpreted adolescent behavior to be more problematic when the scenarios were overtly outside of their cultural realm of values and beliefs. Parents preferred methods of intervention through religious practices and/or family and community efforts rather than seeking mental health services in their host countries as a secondary option. The authors’ findings provide an understanding of the values and beliefs of this underrepresented demographic, which may be useful to guide health professionals on how to support this community in a culturally responsive way. Research limitations/implications Limitations to the current study include the structured nature of the interview guide that did not allow for in-depth qualitative exploration. Interviewed participants had lived in their host countries for more than 10+ years. Thus, the authors’ findings are not reflective of new immigrants’ experiences. Parents’ perspectives were