Academic literature on the topic 'Women – Mental health – Morocco'

Although there has been a great deal of research in the areas of social networks, social support and well-being over the past two decades, little of that research has been cross-cultural, and virtually none has been carried out in countries outside the West. The present study attempted to describe the structure and functioning of the social networks of a group of relatively modern urban Moroccan women, and the associations among their social networks, social support, physical health and psychological well-being. Extensive interviews were conducted with 108 married or previously-married women who were living in a middle-class neighborhood in Rabat, Morocco. Subjects were asked to identify social network members, defined as friends, family or others who provided various types of support in typically encountered life situations, or with whom the subject had negative interactions. Standardized self-report instruments were used to assess physical and psychological well-being, and to assess the occurrence of stressful life events. Additional observational data were collected on respondents' neighborhoods and immediate physical surroundings. A model describing the interactions between well-being, network structure and network function was tested using factor-analytic and set-regression techniques. Stressful life events predicted reduced physical well-being. Enhanced psychological functioning was predicted by reciprocity in relationships, marital satisfaction, and to a lesser degree, practical and emotional support. Contrary to predictions, patronage support was associated with both enhanced physical and psychological well-being. Results were generally consistent with Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, which predicts that the uniformly large and well-functioning networks found in this study would produce effect sizes that were small, but consistent with Western research findings.

Cultural and social influences on mental and physical health are increasingly recognized by social science researchers. Researchers have found that specific, Afrocultural factors are related to the functioning of African Americans. The current research considered whether interdependence is especially salient for African American women since women and African Americans tend to define themselves within the context of social relationships. The study outlines processes affecting the mental and physical health of African American women including communalism, collective efficacy, and social capital. The also study examined the relationship between socioeconomic status and both mental and physical health among African American women in a low-income residential area. The effect of social capital and collective efficacy on mental and physical health above income was analyzed using hierarchical regression. One-hundred-thirty African-American women in a low-income area of Richmond, Virginia completed surveys between October 2002 and October 2004 measuring social capital, collective efficacy and general health and mental health. Level of education served as a proxy for socioeconomic status. The study's central hypothesis was that social capital and collective efficacy, an indicator of social capital, would moderate rather than mediate the association between socioeconomic status and the outcome variables in this population due to the importance of relationships in the African American culture and in the lives of women. Both moderation and mediation models were tested. Significant relationships were found between income and both physical health and mental health. There were no significant relationships found between social capital and physical health, mental health, or socioeconomic status and mediation was not established. The results also did not establish social capital as a moderator between socio-economic status and the outcome variables. This lack of relationship may be related to several factors including the homogeneity of the sample in terms of socioeconomic status and challenges associated with the use of a new measure for social capital. Meaningful comparisons of social capital between socioeconomic levels could not be made.

This study examined the relationship between perceived social support and negative mental health outcomes in battered women. Correlations between perceived social support and depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder were analyzed. Perceived social support, particularly from family members, was found to be significantly related to mental health outcomes. Results indicate that agencies that work with battered women should include social support in the assessment and intervention processes. The study utilized a quantitative survey design with a sample of 120 battered women from four domestic violence agencies throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Quantitative data analysis procedures, such as multivariate analysis and logistic regression, were used to further examine variables. Samples of the instruments used in the study are included.

This thesis examines mental health utilization amongst African-American women. The study specifically investigated the factors that may predict help seeking behaviors: depression, stigma, African acculturation, mistrust, and religious commitment. The study also examined the role demographics has on African-American women utilizing mental health services. The study examined the following demographics, income, age, marital status, and education status. The sample size consisted 40 African American women, with ages ranging from 18 to 65. The results indicated that age and depression may impact African-American women seeking mental health services. The results showed that stigma, African acculturation, mistrust, religious commitment, income, marital status and education have no statistical significance in predicting African-American women utilizing mental health services.

Thesis ((M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) --University of the North, 2002<br>Violence against women ts a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which has led to the domination of women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women. It is an old phenomenon that was kept secret, and people pretended that the problem did not exist. It wasn't until the feminist activists openly addressed the issue of inequality that included women's lack of rights and low status within marriage and society as well as battering that the taboo topic was changed into a subject extensively investigated. Extensive research on the topic now exists. As is the case in many developing countries, research on violence against women in Namibia is relatively rare. Research regarding the mental health consequences of abuse is virtually non-existent. It is to this area of research that the present study addressed itself. This study aimed at describing and determining the mental health consequences of battering to which Namibian women are subjected. The study followed both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Qualitative research used in-depth interviews based on a semi-structured questionnaire. The measures utilized was an Abuse Disability Questionnaire (ADQ). A demographic questionnaire identifying battered women variables was also utilized. A total of 60 battered women were surveyed and all 60 women completed the questionnaires. In quantitative methods, data were analysed in terms of descriptive statistics. In qualitative methods, closely related data were grouped together under specific titles to serve as categories. The results indicated that Namibian battered women endure physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse. The results has shown that age, education, religion, employment status and marital status do not matter. Women are still being battered. The results also indicated that Namibian battered women are indeed subjected to various negative mental health consequences.

<p>The purpose of the study is to conduct research and bring awareness to war related events experienced by female refugees. Refugees from war torn countries arrive to the United States with various forms of trauma&mdash;some war related and others not. Trauma experienced by refugees can significantly impact their mental health and overall quality of life. Reliable and valid screenings/interventions, that use quantitative and qualitative methods, have proven to be beneficial. Currently there is limited information regarding the range of war related trauma and health outcomes experienced by female refugees of Middle Eastern (Kurdish) and Asian (Vietnamese) descent. This study examines the difference in migration, employment, education, health insurance, mental health, and personal problems experienced by 60 Vietnamese and 44 Iraqi women. An exploratory, qualitative and quantitative, research design was employed to detect war related, traumatic events. The ultimate aim of the study was to focus on the cross-cultural impact of war related trauma and its mental health and overall effects on female refugees. </p>