Gender Differences in the Barriers to Mental Health-Seeking Within the Armenian American Community

Gender Differences in the Barriers to Mental Health-Seeking Within the Armenian American Community

Gender

Kristen Walker

Garooneh Avanessian

2024

Alliant International University ProQuest Dissertations & Theses

Dissertation

English

9798382345437

United States

Restricted Access

Armenian Americans have a rich historical narrative characterized by resilience in the face of adversity. Despite this, a significant research gap exists concerning mental health disparities and barriers to accessing psychotherapy within this community, leading to marginalization and inadequate representation. Consequently, clinicians may lack a comprehensive understanding of the importance of cultural humility in their interactions with Armenian American individuals. This dissertation sought to address these gaps by examining the obstacles hindering Armenian Americans from seeking treatment, with a focus on potential gender-based disparities. Through qualitative research methods, particularly semi-structured interviews, the study explored the perspectives of American-born Armenians, aged 18 and older, on psychotherapeutic treatment and mental health symptoms. Employing Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology facilitated a nuanced understanding of participants' responses, revealing key themes such as stigma, support systems, and adherence to traditional gender roles as primary barriers to treatment. Specifically, societal perceptions of weakness hindered males, while females often relied on informal support networks instead of formal therapy channels. Moreover, traditional gender roles were found to influence perceptions differently for each gender within the community. The findings underscore the importance of efforts to combat stigma, raise awareness, and improve access to culturally competent care to ensure equitable mental health outcomes for Armenian Americans. Establishing a nurturing mental health environment is crucial to providing all members of this community with the support and assistance they need.