wahiba abu-ras | Adelphi University (original) (raw)

Papers by wahiba abu-ras

International journal of social psychiatry, Jun 18, 2024

Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, 2010

Improved mental health among all soldiers yields numerous benefits, including the potential reduc... more Improved mental health among all soldiers
yields numerous benefits, including the potential
reduction of self- and other-directed harm. This
brief will offer policy recommendations intended
to improve access to mental health services for
American Muslim military personnel in order to
properly care for those who may be at a higher risk
for emotional distress.
This brief was developed collaboratively by
drawing upon the expertise of providers and
researchers of mental health and related services
to the American Muslim civilian population, as
well as of Islamic chaplains (imams) and providers
with specific experience in delivering such services
in the military context. It is intended to advise
policymakers, mental health, and public health
administrators, and senior military officers, all
of whom are invested in Muslim officers’ mental
health, well-being, and high performance in their
respective diverse units.

Current Psychology, Nov 18, 2017

The goal of this paper is to examine the validity of the Traumatology perspective of the dynamics... more The goal of this paper is to examine the validity of the Traumatology perspective of the dynamics underlying the adverse mental health effects of gender discrimination (GD) on females' across two different cultural samples. The study was conducted in two samples from Poland (N=277), and Egypt (N=319). To measure GD, we utilized measures of gender discrimination (GD) by parents (GD-P), GD by society (GD-S), internalized gender discrimination (IGD), and GD resistance (GDR). To measure mental health, we utilized measures of internalizing, externalizing, and thought disorders (psychoticism). Further, we used tests for self-esteem, authoritarianism. To control for the effects of other stressors and traumas we used a measure for cumulative stressors and traumas. Path analysis indicated that GD-P in both samples was associated with internalized gender discrimination, internalizing, externalizing, psychoticism and authoritarianism. GD-S predicted lower self-esteem, higher psychoticism, externalizing and internalizing behavior. The model accounted for 40-50% of the variance in internalizing and was invariant on the configural and metric levels. We discussed the implications of the results to intervention and prevention of GD and for future directions in gender research.

Society for Social Work and Research 18th Annual Conference: Research for Social Change: Addressing Local and Global Challenges, Jan 16, 2014

ABSTRACT Studies show that religion and spirituality protect military personnel from stress, trau... more ABSTRACT Studies show that religion and spirituality protect military personnel from stress, trauma, and suicidality; support coping; and build resilience. Additionally, the Army has identified spirituality as a salient component of its strategic planning and training. As most relevant literature on resiliency focuses on mainstream populations’ definitions of healthy functioning, it remains unclear how such strategies apply to non-mainstream populations and religions such as Muslims and Islam. Objectives: This study will explore (1) How and to what extent do religion/spirituality help Muslim Armed Forces Personnel (MAFP) cope with service and war-related stress?; (2) What factors contribute to their spiritual fitness?; (3) What other strategies do MAFP use to cope with daily life and war?; (4) What are the risk and protective factors of religious/spiritual-based coping?; (5) How do religious/spiritual-based coping strategies impact MAFP’s resiliency?; and (6) How does family and community support impact MAFP’s resiliency and health resources? Hypotheses: (1) that MAFP using religious/spiritual coping strategies and receiving family and community support will more effectively deal with adversity and further increase their resiliency, and, conversely, (2) that the presence of faith-related stressors can cause observant MAFP to experience increased stress and decreased resiliency. Methods: This study utilized in-depth semi structured individual face-to-face interviews with 20 active and retired MAFP. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed for analysis. Data Analysis: Grounded thematic analysis guided the processing of qualitative interview data. Two authors and one research assistant have reviewed the transcriptions of each interview and used the qualitative data analysis software package NVivo9 to develop hierarchies of themes and sub-themes through constant comparison across interviews. Theme summaries were integrated into theoretical memos to explore emerging perspectives on the data. Results: The level to which religion serves as either a protective or risk factor for a participant varied depending on race, ethnicity, gender, rank, skin color, branch of military service and immigration status. While some participants faced more religious discrimination after 9/11, practicing religion and seeking familial and social support were important strategies used to reinforce their spiritual fitness and cope with war and life stressors. Participants faced many barriers including a lack of access to faith-based services, inability to attend Jumuah prayer service on Fridays, and an absence of halal food on base. All Participants recommended incorporating educational and cultural competency training about Islam and Muslims into the U.S. Armed Forces System as a way to help foster resiliency and spiritual fitness among both Muslims and other Armed Forces personnel. Implications: Individuals of minority cultural, religious, racial, and ethnic backgrounds are likely to have different needs than their majority counterparts. The study’s results can help mental health providers identify common coping strategies among MAFP, and provide the necessary services to help them become more resilient while facing stresses associated with trauma. Findings will also identify the role of family and community as a source of support to service members as they begin to understand the service members’ experiences. This could strengthen family life and connectedness, while maintaining the highest state of military readiness.

Journal of Family Issues, Mar 12, 2018

This article explores, describes, and compares how Palestinian parents of children with disabilit... more This article explores, describes, and compares how Palestinian parents of children with disabilities articulate their major challenges and coping strategies and ways in which they adapt to daily routines to care for, support, and address the needs of their children. We held six focus groups, three in the West Bank, Palestine, and three inside Israel with a total sample of 43 participants. The major themes emerged from this study revealed that Palestinian parents in both regions are experiencing major challenges and barriers at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Despite these challenges, the vast majority of the parents appear to be attuned to their children's special needs and use positive coping methods to deal with their daily stressors. Their coping strategies include religious coping, advocacy, and positive attitudes toward their children. The study findings also highlight the realities of the current sociopolitical context these parents face.

International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, Feb 6, 2023

Journal of Muslim Mental Health, Aug 15, 2011

As more hospitals acknowledge the importance of spiritual care, there is an increasing demand for... more As more hospitals acknowledge the importance of spiritual care, there is an increasing demand for chaplains who can meet patients' spiritual needs. While most empirical studies thus far have focused on changes in chaplaincy services, and on the role of non-Muslim chaplains, very few have addressed the religious diversity among hospital chaplains and their roles in serving a diverse population. This study will be the first to examine the roles Muslim chaplains play in New York City hospitals and health care settings in general, and in serving Muslim patients in particular, as perceived by pastoral care directors and both Muslim and non-Muslim chaplains. This study used a mixed method of qualitative and quantitative, including a cross-sectional survey administered to 56 pastoral care directors and in-depth interviews with 33 Muslim and non-Muslim chaplains. Univariate and bivariate statistical analysis were used to analyze the quantitative data and a grounded thematic approach was employed to analyze the qualitative data. Results show that seven roles examined in this study were rated by most directors as being somewhat important to moderately important. The highest perceived importance mean given to Muslim chaplains' roles were handling directive education and organ donation (mean = 3.49, SD 1.95), prayers (mean = 3.14, SD =1.37), and providing emotional support to patients and their families (mean =3.13, SD=1.35). The perceived roles and activities are also different based on the location of the hospitals, the educational level of the directors, and faith affiliation of the directors and chaplains. The implication of this study is that addressing the cultural, racial, and ethnic disparities in health care settings, including chaplaincy services, is an important factor that could seriously impact health beliefs and behaviors.

Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, Aug 1, 2015

Most existing literature on religion/spirituality (R/S) and resiliency focuses on mainstream popu... more Most existing literature on religion/spirituality (R/S) and resiliency focuses on mainstream populations, where R/S appears to be a search for positive meaning, protective factors, and a predictor of successful adaptation in coping with adversity. The role of R/S in fostering resilience among Muslim Military Personnel (MMP) and other minority faith groups is understudied, and it remains unclear how religious coping strategies apply to minority religious groups when faced with faith-related stressors. This study explores situations in which R/S is perceived as both a protective and a risk factor for MMP and describes the effects that faith-related stressors have on their psychological wellbeing. The study used in-depth individual interviews with 20 U.S. MMP, active, reserves/national guards, and retired, from different backgrounds. Grounded thematic analysis guided the processing of qualitative interview data, using the software package NVivo9. The results demonstrate the central role of R/S and practice in the life of MMP, support the approach of understanding resiliency through vulnerability, as well as the importance of the cultural meaning MMP attach to their experiences with adversity and how these meanings contribute to their resiliency. The study has policy and practice implications for social work and other helping professions, as well as for current and likely future American wars and the organization of faith-based services within the total U.S. Armed Forces (USAF).

Journal of Muslim Mental Health, Dec 22, 2008

In this exploratory study, eight focus groups were conducted, utilizing 83 participants. A struct... more In this exploratory study, eight focus groups were conducted, utilizing 83 participants. A structured, but flexible, interview guided by trauma theory was designed to solicit perspectives on the impact of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the Arab American community in New York City. Participants identified several common areas of concern, including fear of hate crimes, anxiety about the future, threats to their safety, loss of community, isolation, and stigmatization. Barriers to services and current mental health needs were discussed. The results of this study may assist social workers and clinical psychologists in developing targeted mental health initiatives using community outreach strategies. This approach may enhance recovery and healing at the individual and community levels, particularly if services are provided by those who are culturally and linguistically competent and sensitive.

Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies, 2013

Journal of Orthopaedic Science, Mar 1, 2019

Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies, Nov 30, 2009

... social support environment, life changes, and the attribution of new meaning to trauma) to be... more ... social support environment, life changes, and the attribution of new meaning to trauma) to best predict levels of depression and PTSD among this population. ... held in Washington, DC We an-ticipated difficulty in enlisting participation in our survey due to the fear of backlash ...

Social sciences, Oct 31, 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Springer eBooks, Jun 14, 2018

Poverty & Public Policy, Sep 1, 2018

Poverty has been defined as a set of risk factors that damage an individual's mental, physical, e... more Poverty has been defined as a set of risk factors that damage an individual's mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual development. However, the debate about the effects of poverty on the growth, development, and health of Palestinian youth and children specifically is as much involved with the culture and the economics of poverty as it is with the political context of poverty. This article examines the overall levels, trends, and negative effects of poverty among Palestinian children and youth, identifying the drivers of poverty since the Israeli occupation and its effects on the children and youth residing in the West Bank and Gaza. In addition, it demonstrates the strong links between the political and economic environment and poverty among family and children as well as individual well-being in the West Bank and Gaza. By examining this important topic, it identifies the main reasons for poverty and clarifies the process by which the Israeli occupation and policies have transformed the Palestinian social and economic structures, thereby adding more constraints on the Palestinian people and government. The time period covered includes the expansion of Israeli occupation, the resultant economic and political hardship, and the rise of the Palestinian intifada as well as the current anti-poverty programs in place.

International Social Work, Jul 11, 2022

Research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social workers is limited, especially from low... more Research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social workers is limited, especially from low-income countries. Hence, this study examined the effect of this international health crisis on the mental health of 261 social workers in health care settings in Egypt. Generalized anxiety and stress generated by fear of COVID-19 directly influenced social workers’ intention to leave their current job. The findings show the vulnerability of social workers employed in health care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their mental well-being is less than optimal, which might contribute to a high turnover rate.

Religion and spirituality are the first, and sometimes the only available sources of comfort for ... more Religion and spirituality are the first, and sometimes the only available sources of comfort for many hospital patients facing difficult and stressful times. Since chaplaincy is typically practiced along Judeo-Christian lines, other spiritual perspectives receive less attention. This study assesses the existing chaplaincy care services available for Muslim patients as perceived by two different groups, 33 Muslim and non-Muslim chaplains and by 56 directors of chaplaincy departments at New York City hospitals. A mixed-methods approach was used, including a cross-sectional survey and in-depth interviews. The results indicate that Muslim patients' religious needs may be underserved, and that they may not receive appropriate chaplaincy care. These results may provide a better understanding of the challenges that other immigrants and minority groups face when receiving medical care, and of the need for quality spiritual care for these communities.