Summary
Islamic and homosexual in the Netherlands –a double mental burden?
According to the Minority Stress Model, immigrants have an increased risk of mental health problems compared with the general population. Homosexual feelings can form an additional minority stress factor next to ethnic minority status, given the social disapproval of homosexuality within non-Western cultures, the open manifestations of homosexual behavior in the western society, and the influence of religion, such as the Islam. It is unknown whether Islamic homosexuals indeed have an increased risk of developing mental health problems as compared to the general population or indigenous homosexual people. The aim of this study is to obtain a first insight into mental health problems of Islamic men and women with homosexual feelings in order to tailor health care services to their possible needs. The Islamic sample consisted of 51 men and 6 women and was compared with the Dutch norm group (N=1009) and with a group of indigenous Dutch homosexuals (N=61). Indicators of mental health problems were the anxiety and depression subscales of the SCL-90. Both the Islamic and the indigenous homosexual group reported significantly more symptoms of anxiety and depression than the Dutch norm group. The Islamic homosexual group did not differ significantly from the indigenous homosexual group with regard to anxiety, but showed a trend for higher depression. Despite the limitations, this unique study has provided an important first insight into this complex to reach population, warranting more research. Potential consequences for prevention policy and clinical implications are discussed.
Marokkaanse man (22 jaar): “Ik heb vaak vlinders in mijn buik voor iemand van hetzelfde geslacht. Nooit heb ik iets met deze gevoelens gedaan en zal dit nooit doen.Waarschijnlijk zal ik trouwen met een Marokkaanse vrouw. Ik kan niet anders. Ik durf niet te zijn wie ik ben… Ik voel me sterk verbonden met mijn religie en wil Allah niet teleurstellen.” (el Kaka & Kursun, 2002)
Marokkaanse man (21 jaar): “Mijn ouders spreek ik niet meer, en dit doet pijn. Het gemis van mijn familie kan ik bijna niet verdragen, voor hen ben ik een slechte jongen, ik ben namelijk homoseksueel. (…) Als er een pil zou zijn waarmee ik hetero kon worden, zou ik deze meteen innemen.” (el Kaka & Kursun, 2002)
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Schouten, A., Knipscheer, J., van de Schoot, R. et al. Islamitisch en homoseksueel in Nederland – een dubbele psychische belasting?. PSYCHOL. GEZONDH. 39, 138–144 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12483-011-0028-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12483-011-0028-2