Muslim American Families

Religion dictates values and beliefs, which in turn influence behaviors inside and outside the home, including help-seeking behaviors. However, little is known about Muslim American families and mental health due to the lack of research on the topic. This void in knowledge hinders effective practice with Muslim Americans and may deter Muslim Americans from seeking formalized mental health services. Little or no training on Muslim American culture among helping professionals, such as counselors, leaves them ill equipped and vulnerable to perpetuating stereotypes and discrimination. Thus, mental health professionals need to become familiar with the religious beliefs and traditions of Muslim American clients to engage in culturally sensitive practice. This entry provides a brief discussion of diversity among Muslims and further examines the formation of marital ...