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Optimizing Biopsychosocial Health Among Arabs in the United States and Globally

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Biopsychosocial Perspectives on Arab Americans

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Abstract

Arab Americans represent a distinct, but often unrecognized, ethnic group in the United States. Along with cultural traditions and values unique to this population, the anti-Arabism prevalent within public media and other prominent discourse serves as a marginalizing risk factor to health and well-being that must be navigated by individuals of Arab descent. In this chapter, we weave together the tapestry of migration history and context, culture, development, and health to elucidate the Arab American experience. Applied to contemporary domestic and world events such as US leadership and the COVID-19 pandemic, among others, we identify implications for biopsychosocial research, policy, and practice.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. North Carolina State University, ELPHD Department, Counseling & Counselor Education, Raleigh, NC, USA

    Sylvia C. Nassar

  2. Eastern Michigan University, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology, Ypsilanti, MI, USA

    Kristine J. Ajrouch

  3. University of Windsor, Department of Psychology, Windsor, ON, Canada

    Julie Hakim-Larson

  4. Department of Public & Environmental Wellness, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

    Florence J. Dallo

  5. Department of Counseling and Addiction Studies, Reno Hall, McNichols Campus, Detroit, MI, USA

    Tahani Dari

Authors
  1. Sylvia C. Nassar
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  2. Kristine J. Ajrouch
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  3. Julie Hakim-Larson
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  4. Florence J. Dallo
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  5. Tahani Dari
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sylvia C. Nassar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. ELPHD Department Counseling & Counselor Education, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

    Sylvia C. Nassar

  2. Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, USA

    Kristine J. Ajrouch

  3. School of Health Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

    Florence J. Dallo

  4. Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada

    Julie Hakim-Larson

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Nassar, S.C., Ajrouch, K.J., Hakim-Larson, J., Dallo, F.J., Dari, T. (2023). Optimizing Biopsychosocial Health Among Arabs in the United States and Globally. In: Nassar, S.C., Ajrouch, K.J., Dallo, F.J., Hakim-Larson, J. (eds) Biopsychosocial Perspectives on Arab Americans. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-28360-4_17

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