36 Norms and acculturation shape willingness to seek mental health care among migrants: results from a large preregistered study - Abstract citation ID ckaf180.088

Sep 30, 2026

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This study investigates how perceived social norms and acculturation orientations shape migrants’ willingness to seek mental health care. Using a large preregistered, multi-level design, 2,768 migrants from six countries completed a web-based survey on help-seeking willingness, perceived help-seeking norms within origin-and-gender groups, and Norwegian majority norms. Family and friends’ acceptance emerged as the strongest predictor, while acculturation moderated norm effects. Mainstream orientation strengthened majority-norm influence; heritage orientation amplified own-group norm influence. Findings suggest norm misperceptions hinder help-seeking, yet actual openness may be greater than presumed.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

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Aims

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2nd World Congress on Migration, Ethnicity, Race & Health Abstract Book vi31 Abstract citation ID: ckaf180.088 36 Norms and acculturation shape willingness to seek mental health care among migrants: results from a large preregistered study Samantha Harris1 1University Of Oslo, Oslo, Norway OP 8: Health Services 6, B304 (FCSH), September 3, 2025, 15:45 - 16:45 Aims: This study investigates the role of perceived social norms and acculturation orientations in shaping migrants’ willingness to seek mental health care. Specifically, we examine perceptions of helpseeking norms within migrant groups, the influence of presumed acceptance by family and friends, and the interaction of acculturation orientations and perceived norms on help-seeking willingness. Methods: The study used a pre-registered design with a sample of 2,768 migrants from six countries (Afghanistan, Eritrea, Lithuania, vi32 European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 35, Supplement 6, 2025 Poland, Syria, and Ukraine), recruited via national registers in Norway. Participants completed a web-based survey assessing their willingness to seek help, perceived help-seeking norms among their own group, i.e., people from their country of origin and same gender, and Norwegian majority members, and acculturation orientations. We used multi-level modelling to analyse associations. Results: Participants perceived their own group as less willing to seek help than themselves, while perceiving the majority population as more willing. Family and friends’ acceptance emerged as the strongest predictor of willingness to seek help, surpassing the influence of both perceived own group and majority group norms. Exploratory analyses further indicated that acculturation orientations moderated the associations in that mainstream orientation strengthened the influence of majority norms, while heritage orientation enhanced the influence of own group norms on own willingness to seek help. Conclusions: The findings from the current study suggest that themisperception of norms among one’s own ethnic and gender group may contribute to hindering help-seeking. Simultaneously, these findings indicate that there may be more openness and willingness to seek help than presumed by group members. Presumed acceptance from family and friends plays a pivotal role in willingness to seek help. Tailored interventions considering acculturation orientations, and the role of family and friends may be important elements to consider when facilitating access to mental health services among diverse migrant populations.

FAQs

What was the main aim of the study?

The study examined how perceived social norms and acculturation orientations influence migrants’ willingness to seek mental health care, including the roles of help-seeking norms within migrant groups and presumed acceptance by family and friends.

How was the study conducted?

It used a pre-registered design with 2,768 migrants from six countries who completed a web-based survey assessing willingness to seek help, perceived norms in their own group and the Norwegian majority, and acculturation orientations.

What most strongly predicted willingness to seek help?

Acceptance from family and friends was the strongest predictor of willingness to seek help, exceeding the influence of both perceived own-group norms and majority-group norms.

How did acculturation orientations change the effect of norms?

Acculturation moderated norm associations: mainstream orientation strengthened the influence of majority norms, while heritage orientation enhanced the influence of own-group norms on participants’ own willingness to seek help.

Sep 30, 2026

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