Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Social Work

Advisor

Sandra Harris

Abstract

Past research has shown that African Americans are less likely to seek treatment for mental health illness compared to individuals in other ethnic groups. Research has also revealed that African American college students’ attitudes, perceptions, and stigmas against mental illness impacts their willingness to seek treatment for mental illness. The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental, correlational study was to investigate the predictive relationships between ethnic identity, perceptions of mental illness, stigma and attitudes toward seeking professional help for mental illness among African American college students attending Historically Black colleges and universities. The research question addressed the predictive relationships between ethnic identity, perceptions of mental illness, stigmas against mental illness, and attitudes towards seeking professional help for mental health issues among African American college students after controlling for gender. The modified labeling theory was used to guide this research. Data were collected from 85 students using surveys administered through SurveyMonkey. Findings from a linear multiple regression analysis revealed that ethnic identity, stigma of mental illness, and perceptions of mental illness were not significant predictors of African American college students’ attitudes toward seeking professional help for mental illness. However, a post hoc analysis revealed that gender was a significant predictor of attitudes toward help-seeking behavior for African American college students. Findings from this study have implications for individuals developing campus-based campaigns and engaging in advocacy efforts to raise mental health awareness among African American college students. Implications include the importance of focusing on gender-based advocacy opportunities on campuses.

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