Generational differences in perception of stress, anxiety, and depression among Ghanaian immigrants - the New York City Ghanaian mental well-being project - OP 19: Mental Health 2

Sep 30, 2026

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Study exploring intergenerational viewpoints on mental health among Ghanaian immigrants in New York City, focusing on stress, anxiety, and depression. Aims address how generational gaps and cultural stigma or taboo shape relationships, coping, and community social support. Methods used community-based participatory research with listening and town hall sessions plus semi-structured interviews (N=92), transcribed and thematically analyzed with NVivo. Results highlight alcohol, substance use, and violence themes and identify barriers to recognizing symptoms and seeking care; conclusions summarize shared perceived barriers alongside generational differences for culturally tailored interventions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Aims

Methods

Results

Conclusion

vi50 European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 35, Supplement 6, 2025 mental illness symptoms and/or care among the older generation. Participants noted that such discordance can lead to family and community tensions. Across age groups, the majority mentioned stigma and lack of mental health knowledge as barriers to symptom recognition and care-seeking. Conclusion: Ghanaian immigrants living in New York City share similar views of barriers to mental health symptom recognition and care-seeking. However, there are generational differences in cultural understandings and perceptions of stress, anxiety, and depression. These findings will inform future research on factors that affect Ghanaian immigrant mental well-being, perspectives on mental health, and culturally tailored interventions to address mental health disparities. Abstract citation ID: ckaf180.137 116 Generational differences in perception of stress, anxiety, and depression among Ghanaian immigrants: the New York City Ghanaian mental well-being project Faustine Williams1, Maryam Elhabashy1, Jacqueline Egelfeld1, David Adzrago1, Margrethe Horlyck-Romanovsky2 1National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Bethesda, United States 2Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, Brooklyn, United States OP 19: Mental Health 2, B302 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 13:30 - 14:30 Aims: Generational gaps in mental health perceptions can affect individuals’ relationships and coping with mental health experiences. Among immigrant populations, cultural stigma and taboo can further impact mutual understanding and community social support. Despite immigrants’ exposure to unique stressors and acculturative isolation, little research examines generational understandings of mental health among immigrants. We used community-based participatory research to examine intergenerational perspectives on mental health (i.e., stress, anxiety, and depression) among Ghanaian immigrants living in New York City, USA. Methods: This study used a mixed-method approach, with data collected from one general listening session, five borough-specific town hall sessions, and semi-structured interviews (N ¼ 92) with Ghanaian immigrants aged 18–80 years (Mean age ¼ 51.7 years) between November 2023 and July 2024 . Audio recordings of all interviews and town hall group discussions were transcribed verbatim and supplemented by field notes. Interview transcripts were coded and thematically analyzed using NVivo, version 14 . Results: Recurring themes reflect intergenerational differences in Ghanaian immigrants’ understandings and acknowledgments of mental health experiences. Alcohol, substance use, and violence frequently emerged in elderly individuals’ narratives about the younger generations’ mental health struggles and coping strategies. Younger individuals described a lack of receptivity or acceptance towards

FAQs

What is the study’s main focus regarding Ghanaian immigrants in New York City?

The study examines intergenerational perceptions and understandings of mental health, specifically stress, anxiety, and depression, among Ghanaian immigrants living in New York City.

How was the research conducted and what data sources were used?

It used community-based participatory research with one general listening session, five borough-specific town hall sessions, and semi-structured interviews with Ghanaian immigrants aged 18–80 (N=92). Interviews and town hall discussions were transcribed and thematically analyzed using NVivo.

What barriers to mental health care recognition and seeking were identified across age groups?

Across age groups, participants emphasized stigma and a lack of mental health knowledge as barriers to recognizing symptoms and seeking care.

What differences did the study find between older and younger participants?

Older individuals’ narratives frequently included themes of alcohol, substance use, and violence when describing younger generations’ mental health struggles and coping strategies, while younger individuals described reduced receptivity or acceptance toward mental health experiences.

Sep 30, 2026

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