Attitudes of West African Immigrants in the United States toward Substance Misuse: Exploring Culturally Informed Prevention and Treatment Strategies.

Publisher: Routledge Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101308228 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1937-190X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 1937190X NLM ISO Abbreviation: Soc Work Public Health

Publication: <2009- > : Philadelphia : Routledge
Original Publication: New York, N.Y. : Haworth Press, Inc.

Attitude* ; Culture*; Black People/*psychology ; Emigrants and Immigrants/*psychology ; Substance-Related Disorders/*prevention & control ; Substance-Related Disorders/*rehabilitation; Adult ; Africa, Western/ethnology ; Female ; Focus Groups ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Health Services/statistics & numerical data ; Substance-Related Disorders/ethnology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; United States ; Young Adult ; Black or African American

There is a lack of literature exploring substance misuse issues of the West African-born population in the United States. Thirty-four participants born in West Africa participated in one of three focus groups in a U.S. city to discuss their attitudes toward alcohol and drug use. Based on a qualitative analysis of the discussions, stigmatization of substance abusers and negative attitudes toward U.S. substance abuse treatment were identified as barriers to service utilization for West African immigrants. Community cohesion, importance of family, and a strong sense of spirituality were identified as essential resources to inform substance misuse prevention and treatment strategies.

Keywords: West African immigrants; alcohol; attitudes; drugs; substance abuse; treatment prevention

Date Created: 20160309 Date Completed: 20170403 Latest Revision: 20240712

20240712

10.1080/19371918.2015.1087919

26954618