Graduation Term
Spring 2025
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
School of Communication
Committee Chair
John Baldwin
Committee Co-Chair
Lance Lippert
Committee Member
Rebecca Hayes
Abstract
Acculturation stress impacts international students’ psychological well-being and academic success, yet research on African students remains limited. For African international students, this stress is intensified by cultural stigma surrounding mental health services, deterring help-seeking due to fears of judgment and ostracization. This identity negotiation complicates their willingness to access support, reinforcing cultural barriers to mental health care. This study explores how cultural identity shapes the mental health perceptions and help-seeking behaviors of African international students in the United States. Grounded in the Communication Theory of Identity (CTI) and the Health Belief Model (HBM), the research examines how acculturative stress, stigma, and institutional barriers influence students’ engagement with mental health resources. Findings revealed obstacles, including language barriers, financial constraints, and religious beliefs, shaping their conceptualization of mental health and coping strategies. The study highlighted a gap in institutional responses to African students’ mental health needs. While universities promote mental health awareness, existing initiatives often lack cultural responsiveness, limiting their effectiveness. Beyond academia, the study contributes to global mental health equity by advocating for inclusive, culturally sensitive interventions.
Access Type
Thesis-Open Access
Recommended Citation
Asirifi, Mark Ofosu, "Cultural Identity in Mental Health Services and Helpseeking Behaviours among African International Students" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 2057.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/2057
Included in
Africana Studies Commons, African Languages and Societies Commons, Counseling Psychology Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Health Communication Commons, International and Intercultural Communication Commons, Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Commons, Migration Studies Commons, Multicultural Psychology Commons, Other Languages, Societies, and Cultures Commons, Personality and Social Contexts Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Sociology of Culture Commons, Sociology of Religion Commons
