Skip to main content

Exploring an Islamically Integrated Peer Support Model for Muslim Syrian Refugees

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Culture, Diversity and Mental Health - Enhancing Clinical Practice

Part of the book series: Advances in Mental Health and Addiction ((AMHA))

Abstract

Islam is a monotheistic religion and is considered a way of life offering guidance and healing both within the public and private spheres of Muslims. Culturally sensitive counseling for Muslims requires integrating culturally grounded beliefs, faith-based values, and social norms into counseling practices. The goals of this chapter are to understand the role of religion and faith-based coping in the Western framework of mental health and recovery. More specifically, we will describe the ways in which traditional Islamic teachings are being applied within informal mental health support systems, including the role of Imams, and how Islamic principles from the Qur’an can be used to develop formal models of therapy. Finally, we will be exploring an Islamically integrated peer support model for Muslim refugees, in the Canadian context and making recommendations drawing from the five pillars of Islam.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abdul-Rahman, Z., & Khan, N. (2018). Souls assorted: An Islamic theory of spiritual personality. Irving, TX: Yaqeen Institute Contribution.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abu-Raiya, H. (2014). Western psychology and Muslim psychology in dialogue: Comparisons between a Qura’nic theory of personality and Freud’s and Jung’s ideas. Journal of Religion & Health, 53(2), 326–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abu-Raiya, H. (2015). Working with religious Muslim clients: A dynamic, Qura’nic-based model of psychotherapy. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 2(2), 120–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abu-Ras, W., Gheith, A., & Cournos, F. (2008). The Imam’s role in mental health promotion: A study at 22 mosques in New York City’s Muslim community. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 3, 155–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Afshar, H., Roohafza, R. H., Keshteli, H. A., Mazaheri, M., Feizi, A., & Adibi, P. (2015). The association of personality traits and coping styles according to stress level. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 20(4), 353–358.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ai, L. A., Peterson, C., & Huang, B. (2009). The effect of religious-spiritual coping on positive attitudes of adult Muslim refugees from Kosovo and Bosnia. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 13(1), 29–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ali, O. M., & Milstein, G. (2012). Mental illness recognition and referral practices among imams in the United States. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 6(2), 3–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ali, O. M., Milstein, G., & Marzuk, P. M. (2005). The Imam’s role in meeting the counseling needs of Muslim communities in the United States. Psychiatric Services, 56(2), 202–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Karam, Y. C. (Ed.). (2018). Islamically integrated psychotherapy: Uniting faith and professional practice. Conshohocken, PA: Templeton Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alzoubi, F., Al-Smadi, A., & Gougazeh, M. Y. (2019). Coping strategies used by Syrian refugees in Jordan. Clinical Nursing Research, 28(4), 396–421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amri, S., & Bemak, F. (2013). Mental health help-seeking behaviors of Muslim immigrants in the United States: Overcoming social stigma and cultural mistrust. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 7(1), 43–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, N., Heywood-Everett, S., Siddiqi, N., Wright, J., Meredith, J., & McMillan, D. (2015). Faith-adapted psychological therapies for depression and anxiety: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 176, 183–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ano, G. G., & Vasconcelles, E. B. (2005). Religious coping and psychological adjustment to stress: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 61, 461–480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asamarai, L. (2018). Utilization of Islamic principles in marital counseling. In Y. C. Al-Karam (Ed.), Islamically integrated psychotherapy: Uniting faith and professional practice. West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baasher, T. A. (2001). Islam and mental health. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 7(3), 372–376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Badri, M. (2013). Translation and annotation of Abu Zayd al-Balkhi’s Sustenance of the Soul. Richmond, VA: International Institute of Islamic Thought.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buber-Ennser, I., Goujon, A. V., Kohlenberger, J., & Rengs, B. (2018). Multi-layered roles of religion among refugees arriving in Austria around 2015. Religions, 9(5), 2–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carver, S. C., & Connor-Smith, J. (2010). Personality and coping. Annual Review of Psychology, 61, 679–704.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ciftci, A., Jones, N., & Corrigan, P. (2012). Mental health stigma in the Muslim community. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 7, 17–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, S. (2004). Social relationships and health. American Psychologist, 59(8), 676–730.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daud, K. M. (2009). Coping strategies of the displaced women for achieving food security at the household level in Mayo Camp, Khartoum State. Ahfad Journal, 26, 59–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Khani, A., Ulph, F., Peters, S., & Calam, R. (2017). Syria: Coping mechanisms utilised by displaced refugee parents caring for their children in pre-resettlement contexts. Intervention, 15(1), 34–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Esposito, J. (Ed.). (2013). The Oxford dictionary of Islam. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 21 July 2019, from https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195125580.001.0001/acref-9780195125580.

  • Finkelstein, M., Laufer, A., & Solomon, Z. (2012). Coping strategies of Ethiopian immigrants in Israel: Association with PTSD and dissociation. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 53(6), 490–498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foskett, J., Marriott, J., & Wilson-Rudd, F. (2004). Mental health, religion and spirituality: Attitudes, experience and expertise among mental health professionals and religious leaders in Somerset. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 7(1), 5–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hakimi, R., & Hakimi, E. (2018). Rumi’s cognitive therapy approach to health and disease. Bali Medical Journal, 7(1), 39–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamdan, A. (2008). Cognitive restructuring: An Islamic perspective. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 3(1), 99–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamdani, D. (2015). Canadian Muslims: A statistical review. Thornhill, ON: The Canadian Dawn Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haque, A., Khan, F., Keshavarzi, H., & Rothman, A. (2016). Integrating Islamic traditions in modern psychology: Research trends in last ten years. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 10(1), 75–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, M. A., & Cowie, H. (2005). Psychology and religion: Mapping the relationship. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 8(1), 27–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hodge, D. R., & Nadir, A. (2008). Moving toward culturally competent practice with Muslims: Modifying cognitive therapy with Islamic tenets. Social Work, 53(1), 31–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurlock, D. (2010). All of the women are weavers: A community capacity building peer model and social inclusion. Women’s Center of Calgary. Retrieved from https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Peer-Model-Report-2010.pdf

  • Husain, A., & Hodge, D. (2016). Islamically modified cognitive behavioral therapy: Enhancing outcomes by increasing the cultural congruence of cognitive behavioral therapy self-statements. International Social Work, 59(3), 393–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Husain, A., & Ross-Sheriff, F. (2011). Cultural competence with Muslim Americans. In D. Lum (Ed.), Culturally competent practice: A framework for understanding diverse groups and justice (4th ed., pp. 358–389). Belmont, CA: Brooks.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hynie, M., Umubyeyi, B., Gasanganwa, M. C., Bohr, Y., McGrath, S., Umuziga, P., & Mukarusanga, B. (2015). Community resilience and community interventions for post-natal depression: Reflecting on maternal mental health in Rwanda. In N. Khanlou & B. Pilkington (Eds.), Women’s mental health: Resistance and resilience in community and society (pp. 343–356).

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hynie, M. (2018). Refugee integration: Research and policy. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 24(3), 265–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ijaz, S., Khalily, M. T., & Ahmad, I. (2017). Mindfulness in Salah Prayer and its association with mental health. Journal of Religion and Health, 56, 2297–2307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (2019). Syrian refugees family composition. Retrieved from https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/ca243c40-a6d3-4a46-a578-b4fad4369df0

  • Katsiaficas, G. (2014). A personal perspective on individual and group: Comparative cultural observations with a focus on Ibn Khaldun. Journal of Biosciences, 39, 327–332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keshavarzi, H., & Haque, A. (2013). Outlining a psychotherapy model for enhancing Muslim mental health within an Islamic context. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 23(3), 230–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keshavarzi, H., & Khan, F. (2018). Outlining a case illustration of traditional Islamically integrated psychotherapy. In Y. C. Al-Karam (Ed.), Islamically integrated psychotherapy: Uniting faith and professional practice. West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan, Z. (2006). Attitudes toward counseling and alternative support among Muslims in Toledo, Ohio. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 1(1), 21–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khawaja, N. G., White, K., Schweitzer, R., & Greenslade, J. (2008). Difficulties and coping strategies of Sudanese refugees: A qualitative approach. Transcultural Psychiatry, 45(3), 489–512.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lakey, B., & Orehek, E. (2011). Relational regulation theory: A new approach to explain the link between perceived social support and mental health. Psychological Review, 118(3), 482–495.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Latif, A. R. (2018). “Be brothers”: Case studies of Muslims receptions of refugees in history. Irving, TX: Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mirdal, G. M. (2012). Mevlana Jalāl-ad-Dīn Rumi and mindfulness. Journal of Religion and Health, 51, 1202–1215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nagra, B. (2011). ‘Our faith was also hijacked by those people’: Reclaiming Muslim identity in Canada in a post-9/11 era. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 37(3), 425–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice. New York, NY: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. M. (2000). The many methods of religious coping: Development and initial validation of RCOPE. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 564, 519–543.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parrott, J. (2017). How to be a mindful Muslim: An exercise in Islamic meditation. Irving, TX: Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearce, M. J. (2015). Why religion needs a seat at psychotherapy’s table. Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy. Retrieved from https://societyforpsychotherapy.org/why-religion-needs-a-seat-at-psychotherapys-table/

  • Picot, G., & Lu, Y. (2017). “Chronic Low Income and Low-income Dynamics Among Recent Immigrants.” Statistics Canada. Catalogue no. 11F0019MIE – No. 397. Ottawa, Ontario.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pound, L., Judd, K., & Gough, J. (2011). Peer support for women living with mental health issues. The views of ACT women. Women’s Centre for Health Matters, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.wchm.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Peer-support-for-women-with-mental-health-issues-The-views-of-ACT-women.pdf

  • Qasim, & Hynie. (2018). The role of imam counsellors. Toronto, ON: Unpublished manuscript, York University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahnema, S. (2008). Radical Islamism and failed developmentalism. Third World Quarterly, 29(3), 483–496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rassool, G. H. (2000). The crescent and Islam: Healing, nursing and the spiritual dimension. Some considerations towards an understanding of the Islamic perspectives on caring. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 32, 1476–1484.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rassool, G. H. (2015). Cultural competence in nursing Muslim patients. Nursing Times, 111(14), 12–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothman, A., & Coyle, A. (2018). Toward a framework for Islamic psychology and psychotherapy: An Islamic model of the soul. Journal of Religion and Health, 57, 1731–1744.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rüschoff, I., & Kaplick, P. M. (2018). Integrating Islamic spirituality into psychodynamic therapy with Muslim patients. In Y. C. Al-Karam (Ed.), Integrated psychotherapy: Uniting faith and professional practice. West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sa’ad, R. A., Razali, Z. A., Sanip, S., & Rani, M. D. M. (2017). Knowledge and attitude of Malaysia’s Muslim faith healers in dealing with the mentally ill. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 20(10), 1015–1027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheikh, F. (2018). Marrying Islamic principles with Western psychotherapy for children and adolescents: Successes and challenges. In Y. C. Al-Karam (Ed.), Islamically integrated psychotherapy: Uniting faith and professional practice. West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, P. (2004). Peer support/peer provided services: Underlying processes, benefits, and critical ingredients. Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 27, 392–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tao, S., Qi, D., Pratt, M. W., Hunsberger, B., & Pancer, S. (2000). Social support: Relations to coping and adjustment during the transition to university in the People’s republic of China. Journal of Adolescent Research, 15, 123–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNCHR. (2013). Global trends for refugees. Retrieved from https://www.unhcr.org/statistics/country/5399a14f9/unhcr-global-trends-2013.html

  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNHCR]. (2018). Figures at a Glance. Geneva, Switzerland: UNHCR. http://www.unhcr.org/figures-at-a-glance.html. Accessed September 2018.

  • United Nations General Assembly. (1951). Convention relating to the status of refugees. United Nations Treaty Series. Geneva, Switzerland: United Nations.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weatherhead, S., & Daiches, A. (2010). Muslim views on mental health and psychotherapy. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 83, 75–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, V. (2005). Working with Muslims in counselling—identifying sensitive issues and conflicting philosophy. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 27, 125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2018). Mental Health. Retrieved from January 25, 2019 from https://www.who.int/mental_health/management/en/

  • Xu, J. (2016). Pargament’s theory of religious coping: Implications for spiritually sensitive social work practice. British Journal of Social Work, 46(5), 1394–1410.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yaacob, N. R. N. (2013). Cognitive therapy approach from Islamic psycho-spiritual conception. Social and Behavioral Sciences, 97, 182–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zakaria, N., & Mat Akhir, N. S. (2017). Theories and modules applied in Islamic counseling practices in Malaysia. Journal of Religion and Health, 56, 507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kashmala Qasim .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Qasim, K., Hynie, M. (2019). Exploring an Islamically Integrated Peer Support Model for Muslim Syrian Refugees. In: Zangeneh, M., Al-Krenawi, A. (eds) Culture, Diversity and Mental Health - Enhancing Clinical Practice. Advances in Mental Health and Addiction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26437-6_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics