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Jasleen Kaur, PsyD, is a 2024 graduate of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, Seattle.

Dissertation Committee

Christopher Heffner, PhD, PsyD, Committee Chair

Michael Sakuma, PhD, Committee Member

Maleeha Abbas, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

mental health, immigrants, stigma, culture, Punjab, British Columbia (B.C.), qualitative, interpretive phenomenological analysis, international students

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

Mental health has been a topic that is slowly gaining more acknowledgement and awareness over time. However, despite the elevation in awareness, there are many cultures where mental health issues remain subject to stigma, which discourages an individual from seeking, or even acknowledging, mental health treatment and services. This study focuses upon varying perceptions of mental health by exploring in-depth the perception of mental health within the Punjabi community and how Punjabi culture affects such perceptions. Specifically, this research study examines how young adults who immigrated from Punjab, India to British Columbia (B.C.) perceive and respond to mental health concerns. This study uses a qualitative approach through the lens of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) that aims to provide a detailed examination of personal lived experience. Participants included five young adults who recently immigrated from Punjab to British Columbia within the past five years. Stigma and shame, relationships, international student status, and cultural awareness were the four superordinate themes generated from the interviews. All participants shared the importance of establishing a sense of community and having a support system that fostered feelings of understanding and acknowledgment. Participants also shared the criticality of working with a competent mental health professional who understands the specific experiences and struggles that immigrants face. Providing support, resources, and mandatory mental health information sessions as immigrants arrive to B.C. would be beneficial as they navigate through the complexities of the health care system. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

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Jasleen Kaur, PsyD, 2024

ORCID Scholar ID# 0009-0009-4219-7263

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