Date of Conferral
2023
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Ethel Perry
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic created barriers to accessing mental health services for the general population, but for Black Americans, it exacerbated systemic barriers that have historically influenced help-seeking behaviors. Drawing from the concept of obstructed use, this qualitative study explored those barriers and, using a narrative approach, explored how Black Americans described their experiences of accessing mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic The participants included six men and two women who identified as U.S.-born Black American adults who sought mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Narrative data were analyzed through thematic analysis, identifying themes and subthemes of the participants' personal stories. These stories produced common narratives about the desire for a therapist who understood the participants’ history, with some believing that the therapist had to be Black. Participants described challenges under the current social and political climate and their feelings of stigma and cultural mistrust. Although there have been great strides in understanding the help-seeking behaviors of Black Americans, this population is still gravely at risk for targeted policy, police brutality, and systemic racism that continues to affect mental health and help-seeking behavior. These findings will help to bring to the surface the unique challenges that continue to create barriers for Black Americans who seek mental health services and has the potential to bring about positive social change.
Recommended Citation
Anderson, John K., "How Black Americans Accessed and Used Mental Health Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 14643.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/14643
