People with Mental Illness in the Mainstream Muslim Community: Narratives from Maguindanaons

Omar  Bualan,

People with Mental Illness in the Mainstream Muslim Community: Narratives from Maguindanaons

Abstract:

This narrative study sought to discover the experiences of Maguindanaon ethnolinguistic group regarding people with mental illness in the mainstream. There were nine (9) Muslim participants in this study selected using a purposive sampling, a non-probability sampling technique. The researcher provided a semi-structured interview questionnaire and thematic content analysis was used to analyze the results. Experiences of the community revealed four themes which are risk of aggression and violence, Unusual and off the wall actuations, wretchedness and abject despondency, and facts and myths on mental illness. Coping mechanisms revealed five themes which are strong faith in Allah, giving and seeking intervention and support, generosity of spirit, kindness and acceptance, and avoidance among this individual. Finally, participants’ insight revealed themes such as lack of spiritual foundation to and faith in Allah, major stress and trauma in life, lack of appropriate treatment and mental health professionals, lack of treatment facilities and all kinds of support. The need for mental health professionals, treatment facilities and psychoeducation in Muslim local community are strongly recommended to help community in dealing people suffering from mental illness.

References:

Abdullah, T., & Brown, T. L. (2011). Mental illness stigma and ethno-cultural beliefs, values, and norms: An integrative review. Clinical Psychology Review, 31, 934-948. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.05.003
Abdussalam-Bali, W. (2004). Sword against black magic and evil magicians. India: Al-Firdous Books.
Abu Raiya, H., & Pargament, K. I. (2010). Religiously integrated psychotherapy with Muslim clients: From research to practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41(2), 181-188. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017988
Abu Raiya, H., & Pargament, K. I. (2011). Empirically based psychology of Islam: Summary and critique of the literature. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 14(2), 93-115. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674670903426482
Abu Raiya, H., Pargament, K. I., & Mahoney, A. (2011). Examining coping methods with stressful interpersonal events experienced by Muslims living in the United States following the 9/11 attacks. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 3(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020034
Abu-Rabia, A. (2005). The evil eye and cultural beliefs among the Bedouin tribes of the Negev, Middle East. Folklore, 116, 241-254. https://doi:10.1080/00155870500282677
Adam, Z. (2015). Acculturative stress, faith-based coping and wellbeing amongst New Zealand Muslims. Unpublished Master’s thesis. Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
Al Ghafri, A. (2019). Islam Vs. Society On Mental Health: https://sailemagazine.com/2019/08/islam-vs-society-on-mental-heath/
Al-Adawi, S., Dorvlo, A. S., Al-Ismaily, S. S., Al-Ghafry, D. A., Al-Noobi, B. Z., Al-Salmi, A., et al. (2002). Perception of and attitude towards mental illness in Oman.International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 48, 305-317. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/002076402128783334
Al-Darmaki, F. R. (2003). Attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help: What really counts for United Arab Emirates University students? Social Behavior and Personality, 31, 497-508. http://dx.doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2003.31.5.497
Ally, Y., & Laher, S. (2008). South African Muslim Faith Healers Perceptions of Mental Illness: Understanding, Aetiology and Treatment. Journal of Religion and Health; New York, 47(1), 45–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10943-007-9133-2
Aloud, N., &Rathur, A. (2009).Factors affecting attitudes towards seeking and using formal mental health and psychological services among Arab Muslim populations. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 4, 79-103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15564900802487675
Alrawi, S., Fetters, M. D., Killawi, A., Hammad, A., &Padela, A. (2012). Traditional Healing Practices Among American Muslims: Perceptions of Community Leaders in Southeast Michigan. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health; New York, 14(3), 489–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10903-011-9495-
Angeles, Vivienne S. M. “Islam in the Philippines” (30 September 2013). Web. 28 December 2016. http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo- 9780195390155/obo-9780195390155-0102.xml
Athar, I. (2016). Mental Health Stigma in the Muslim Community. http://almost.thedoctorschannel.com/overcoming-mental healthstigma-in-the-muslim-community/
Azhar, M. Z., & Varma, S. L. (2000). Mental illness and its treatment in Malaysia. In I. Al-Issa (Ed.), Al-Junun: Mental illness in the Islamic world (pp. 163186). Madison, CT: International Universities Press.
Babbie, E. & Mouton, J. 2010. The practice of social research. Cape Town: Oxford University Press. Bagasra, A., & Mackinem, M. (2014). An exploratory study of American Muslim conceptions of mental illness. Journal of Muslim