Mental Health Experiences of Abused South Asian Women in the U.S.

The focus of this paper is to gain knowledge and understanding about the mental health of 20 South Asian women who have experienced abuse in the United States (U.S.). The author postulates that learning more about these experiences will contribute to the literature and help service providers create more inclusive and culturally responsive mental health services for South Asian women who have experienced physical, emotional, verbal sexual and financial abuse. In-depth telephone interviews were conducted with 20 South Asian women who have experienced physical, emotional, verbal, sexual and financial abuse in the U.S. The narratives collected from the participants were analyzed utilizing thematic analysis. This method was selected with the intention of gaining a deep understanding of the mental health of South Asian women who have experienced abuse in the U.S. The findings showed the following themes: (1) mental disconnect/mental divorce; (2) mental pain; (3) seeking help for mental health. It is important for clinicians to understand the ways in which mental health symptoms are intertwined with layers of abuse and fear that South Asian women reported in the context of intersecting identities of gender, immigration status and racial-ethnic background.