On the go – parents are working 24/7
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care
ISSN: 1747-9894
Article publication date: 17 June 2021
Issue publication date: 20 September 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of African community leaders, on factors that influence substance use and mental health status of Sub-Sahara African immigrants living in the northeast region of the USA.
Design/methodology/approach
A social constructionist approach to grounded theory was used to understand social life’s complexity in the African community. Data analysis consisted of initial coding and focused coding, which led to the emerging of the following mid-range theories.
Findings
The following mid-range theories are developed: the work culture of Sub-Sahara African immigrants may influence substance-use behaviors, impact treatment for mental health and contribute to interpersonal conflicts related to marriage and parenting; there may be a relationship between the culture of privacy and spirituality because the church is often a place of comfort, and many may not seek treatment for mental health for fear of losing that community; Sub-Sahara African immigrants’ mental health and substance-use behaviors are influenced by unique factors that stem from balancing living in the new culture while also preserving their unique cultural norms.
Originality/value
The analysis of perceptions of African community leaders underscored “On the go” as a metaphor for describing Sub-Sahara African immigrants.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Ethical issues: IRB approval was sought and approved through the Simmons University Internal Review Board. Strategies to diminish the possibility of participant identification were utilized, including using pseudonyms. All participants signed a consent and disclosure form to participate.Funding Sources. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Citation
Mbao, M. and Hamilton-Mason, J. (2021), "On the go – parents are working 24/7", International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, Vol. 17 No. 3, pp. 259-273. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-06-2020-0067
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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