Challenges of Islamophobia: Psychiatric Considerations for Effectively Working with Muslim Patients

Abstract

Each of the ethnic subgroups of American Muslims carries its own social and cultural histories and norms. While socially, culturally, and economically diverse, the Muslim American community shares a religious worldview that shapes all areas of life. This integrated and enmeshed system of values sometimes creates complications for the individual, when there is a dilemma created by the need to balance the preservation of their religious and cultural identities with integration into mainstream American culture. As such, both culture and religion, individually and collectively, affect the cognitive and behavioral understandings and practices of Muslim Americans. Historically, Muslims have integrated well with American society. Muslim Americans are second with regard to level of education compared to other major religious groups. Muslim Americans have been found to be more educated and affluent than Muslim Europeans. This chapter briefly discusses the challenges of Islamophobia and the psychiatric considerations for effectively working with Muslim patients. Studies have assessed factors that affect help-seeking attitudes and behaviors of Muslims. The chapter proposes a summary of these barriers related to (a) the patient, (b) the clinician, and (c) the culture. It also offers the recommendations to help address the barriers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)