Gender, Culture, Violence, and Mental Health: Challenges and Possibilities

The attitudes towards seeking mental health treatment and attitudes towards gender-based violence were examined among individuals who work or volunteer in refugee resettlement agencies within the United States, as attitudes have been identified as a barrier to reporting violence and seeking mental health assistance. Violence and trauma are ubiquitous, borderless experiences affecting as many as 35% of all women worldwide, resulting in physical and psychological distress. The results of this pilot identified a relationship between years of experience and attitude towards mental health treatment and a negative correlation between attitudes regarding violence and seeking mental health treatment, as well as a relationship between gender and attitudes about gender-based violence. The research demonstrated the importance of inclusive, multi-cultural attitudes within resettlement, program evaluation, additional training and education. This research begins the discussion of considerations and steps necessary to undertake research on a cross-cultural and international scale.