Date of Conferral
9-7-2026
Date of Award
September 2026
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Sandra Rasmussen
Abstract
African American men experience disproportionately low rates of mental health service utilization and often report negative perceptions of mental illness. Despite documented mental health disparities, limited research has explored how mental health workers understand and apply multicultural competence when providing treatment to African American men. Grounded in the theory of planned behavior and social identity theory, the purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of mental health workers regarding multicultural competence in their work with African American men. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seven mental health workers recruited through purposive sampling. Interview transcripts were analyzed using Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological method. Five themes emerged: (a) stigma and cultural awareness, (b) gaining trust and building rapport, (c) multicultural competence, (d) treatment barriers and resistance to engagement, and (e) social change and improvement. Participants emphasized the importance of intentionality and culturally responsive approaches in fostering meaningful therapeutic relationships. Findings suggested that multicultural competence among mental health workers may help reduce mental health disparities among African American men while strengthening therapeutic relationships. These findings have implications for positive social change by informing culturally responsive training, policies, and clinical practices that promote equitable access to high-quality mental health care.
Recommended Citation
Hightower, Ashley, "Exploring Multicultural Competence Among Mental Health Workers When Providing Treatment to African American Males" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20802.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20802
