Attitudes Toward Counseling and Alternative Support Among Muslims in Toledo, Ohio

This descriptive cross-sectional study is designed to describe subgroup variation in attitudes toward help-seeking, and to determine perceived need for and actual use of professional counseling among Muslims in Toledo, Ohio. The study hypothesized that there are meaningful and statistical relationships between socio-demographic variables and attitudes, perceived need and reported use and that there will be differences in these relationships between African American, Arab, and South Asian Muslims. 459 Muslims (44 African Americans, 240 Arabs, 119 South Asians and 56 Others) participated in the study. Participants completed self-report questionnaires including a demographic data sheet and a shortened form of Fischer and Turner's Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (Fischer and Farina, 1995 Fischer, E. H. and Farina, A. 1995. Attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help – A shortened form and considerations for research. Journal of College Student Development, 36(4): 368–73. [CSA][Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). Analysis indicated that age and sex were significantly associated with attitudes toward help-seeking. Sex was also associated with the need for counseling. Age, attitude and need for counseling were all associated with use of professional counseling. Race/ethnicity, as a variable, was associated with use for the African American and Arab subgroups. In terms of other sources of support, results revealed that all three groups considered prayer a regular source of comfort. The study concludes that a majority of Muslims sampled, reportedly possess positive attitudes toward counseling. There is possible unmet need in the community with regard to discrepancy between reported need and reported under-use of services. Muslim females were more likely than Muslim males to indicate positive attitudes toward counseling and the need for counseling. However, older age groups were more likely than younger age groups to indicate use of counseling services. Both need and positive attitudes are significant predictors of use of counseling services among Muslims. Implications for both future research and the provision of more appropriate mental health services for Muslims in the United States are discussed.