36 Norms and acculturation shape willingness to seek mental health care among migrants: results from a large preregistered study

Abstract 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 help-seeking 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, 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 the misperception 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.