Date on Capstone

5-2026

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

D.S.W.

Cooperating University

University of Louisville

Degree Program

School of Social Work, Social Work, D.S.W.

Committee Chair

Rhema, Susan

Committee Member

BritzenhofeScoz, Karlynn

Committee Member

Golder, Seana

Committee Member

Archuleta, Adrian

Author's Keywords

provider stigma; refugees; immigrants; cultural competence; mental health services

Abstract

ABSTRACT

ATTITUDES, BEHAVIORS, AND CO-WORKERS INFLUENCE OF THOSE WHO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES TO REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS

Irene A. Boamah

April 3, 2026

Refugees and immigrants face a variety of mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Despite these mental health issues, there is limited research examining the attitudes, behaviors and coworkers’ influence on those who provide mental health support services to this population. This study examines the relationships between the demographic and professional characteristics of mental health support service providers in Kentucky and the stigmas they may have toward refugees and immigrants.

A cross-sectional quantitative research design using an electronic survey was conducted. In addition to demographics and characteristics, stigma-related outcomes were collected using a modified version of the Mental Health Provider Stigma Inventory (MHPSI). The MHPSI assesses three domains of stigma: attitudes, behaviors, and coworker influence.

Independent samples t-tests and one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were conducted to examine group differences. Findings indicated that male providers reported significantly more negative attitudes toward refugees and immigrants than female providers. Providers delivering services in person, those without refugee or immigrant clients on their caseloads, and community health workers also reported significantly higher negative attitudes toward this population. While no statistically significant differences were found in provider behaviors, younger providers, those with lower educational attainment, and those with 6–10 years of experience reported greater susceptibility to negative coworker influence.

These findings suggest that provider stigma toward refugees and immigrants varies across demographic and professional characteristics and highlight the need for targeted educational, organizational, and leadership interventions to promote culturally responsive mental health care.

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