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Factors Associated with Mental Health Service Utilization Among Ethiopian Immigrants and Refugees

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health volume 22, pages 965–972 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

This study assesses factors associated with mental health service utilization by Ethiopian immigrants and refugees in the U.S. A cross-sectional survey, based on Anderson and Newman’s Framework of Health Services, which examines facilitators and barriers of service utilization, was implemented to gather data from 297 Ethiopian immigrants and refugees in the U.S. from February to March 2018. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and logistic regression were calculated. Approximately 13.3% of participants sought mental health services from healthcare professionals; while 17.3% utilized non-healthcare professionals for mental health problems. A mental health need (depressive symptoms) was identified. A model containing predictors of mental health service use was statistically significant, with gender, marital status, and employment (full-time or part-time) as the strongest predictors. The findings suggest a need for the development of culturally appropriate interventions and implementation of policies to minimize barriers to mental health services among this under-researched population.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Honors College, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA

    Selam G. Ayele

  2. Center for Health Disparities Research, University of Nevada Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Pkwy, Box 453050, Las Vegas, NV, 89154-3050, USA

    Melva Thompson-Robinson & Johanna Andrews

  3. School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI, USA

    Carolee Dodge Francis

Authors
  1. Selam G. Ayele
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  2. Melva Thompson-Robinson
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  3. Johanna Andrews
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  4. Carolee Dodge Francis
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Correspondence to Melva Thompson-Robinson.

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Ayele, S.G., Thompson-Robinson, M., Andrews, J. et al. Factors Associated with Mental Health Service Utilization Among Ethiopian Immigrants and Refugees. J Immigrant Minority Health 22, 965–972 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-020-00984-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-020-00984-w

Keywords

  • Mental health
  • Health care utilization
  • Immigrants
  • Depression

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