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Depression and Nigerian‐born immigrant women in the United States: a phenomenological study
Author(s) -
EZEOBELE I.,
MALECHA A.,
LANDRUM P.,
SYMES L.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.69
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1365-2850
pISSN - 1351-0126
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2850.2009.01519.x
Subject(s) - immigration , possession (linguistics) , spirituality , denial , psychology , perception , depression (economics) , population , medicine , alternative medicine , psychotherapist , political science , linguistics , environmental health , pathology , neuroscience , law , economics , macroeconomics , philosophy
Accessible summary• The findings from the present study revealed that depression is not acceptable according to Nigerian‐born immigrant women living in the US. The women described depression as craziness and being associated with evil spirits or a curse. • The presence of depressive symptoms can cause isolation and rejection in the community and can result in marital and family conflicts. • Spirituality and religion were identified as the main sources of treatment for depression. • Education was identified as the most common factor that would improve the women's acceptance of depressive illness and help foster professional treatment.Abstract This phenomenological study, using the Husserlian philosophy, explored the perceptions of Nigerian‐born immigrant women in the United States and their portrayal of depression. Through face‐to‐face, semi‐structured, audio‐taped interviews incorporating open‐ended questions and probes to facilitate discussion, the study examined a purposive sample of 19 Nigerian‐born immigrant women's perception of depression. Data were analysed using Colaizzi's seven step method of data analysis. The findings from the study uncovered six themes: (1) craziness and madness; (2) curse and evil spirit possession; (3) denial and secrecy; (4) isolation and rejection; (5) spirituality and religion; and (6) need for education. Findings indicated that Nigerian‐born women were not able to differentiate depression from other types of mental illnesses. The women described depression as something that affects others and not them. The women's perception provided insight into why the clergy was preferred for treatment of depression rather than health care professionals. The findings of the study should increase the awareness of nurses and other health care professionals of the need to focus on evidence‐based, culturally specific research, and illuminate issues surrounding depression in this population.