Cultural and religious influences on Arab American healthcare experiences: a qualitative study

Immigrants negotiate aspects of their heritage and host cultures to adapt to their new social environment through the acculturation process. This process influences health and well-being in immigrant communities. Arab American immigrants in the United States face unique cultural dynamics that shape their experiences, including healthcare experiences. This study addresses a gap in knowledge about culture as a social determinant of health awareness, healthcare access, and healthcare quality among Arab Americans. Guided by acculturation theory, we conducted thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 20 Arab Americans. Themes emerged revealing that culture, religion, and family function as both facilitators and barriers to healthcare. Cultural norms often promote self-care and healthy behaviors, but may discourage seeking medical treatment, particularly for mental health concerns. Religion was described as a flexible influence on healthcare decisions. Participants preferred providers of similar ethnic backgrounds due to perceived cultural understanding, and participant recommendations for providers highlighted the need for improved cultural competency training among healthcare professionals. Research on culturally responsive healthcare and training and policy solutions that enhance providers' cultural responsiveness are needed to improve healthcare experiences for Arab American patients and other immigrant populations.