Black Minds Matter: The barriers that specifically affect African Americans when seeking mental health services
Year: 2020
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Purpose: Despite having greater stress and historical trauma than other races, African Americans are less likely to seek mental health services. Previous studies have posited any number of reasons for this dearth in help-seeking, but few have qualitatively sought the voices of African Americans themselves.\nResearch Question: What are the specific barriers faced by African Americans that cause seeking, receiving, and engaging in mental health services challenging? \nMethods: The researchers conducted in-depth interviews (N=10) with African American adults who sought mental health services in order to obtain qualitative data. \nResults: A thematic analysis of transcribed interviews presented 6 areas of concern for mental health help-seeking: (1) Experience (2) Community Perception (3) Access (4) Individual Barriers (5) Misconceptions, and (6) Benefits Service. These themes, along with a variety of subthemes, are discussed in detail. \nDiscussion: African Americans identified multiple experiences within their community that impacted their treatment-seeking behaviors and attitudes. Findings from this study provide a greater understanding of the African American experience associated with their perception of mental health and its influence on attitudes toward mental health services. \nKeywords: African Americans, barriers of mental health; stigma; mental health disparities; culturally competent
Author: Piatt, Nichole
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7045564781