A Qualitative Exploration of African-Americans' Attitudes Toward Mental Illness and Mental Illness Treatment Seeking
This article presents data from a qualitative study of mental illness attitudes and mental health service use in a community sample of African-Americans (N=70). Specifically, we examined cultural factors that shape community norms, including mental illness stigma, attitudes and behaviors.
Focus groups were used to examine the influence of culture on broad thematic categories associated with mental illness and mental health service use. The following five thematic categories were examined: (a) descriptive terms and causes of mental illness, (b) cultural norms regarding mental
health, (c) attitudes toward mental health service use (d) presence and determinants of mental illness stigma, and (e) strategies for reducing mental illness stigma and increasing access and use of mental health services. Thematic categories were selected based on the applicability of the
information for education and stigma reduction intervention programs. Study findings have relevance for the development of culturally appropriate education and stigma change interventions for African-Americans.
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: 01 October 2006
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