Collected Voices of Black Youths and Young Adults on Their Perceptions of Suicide
Date of Conferral
10-20-2023
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Social Work
Advisor
Jeanna Jacobsen
Abstract
The decline in suicide rates among Caucasian youth contrasts with the increase in suicide rates among Black youth and young adults, prompting concern among communities of color, mental health practitioners, and researchers. There was a research gap concerning the perspectives of Black youth and young adults on suicide, prompting an exploration of their perceptions and efforts to reduce it using a sociocultural perspective. Data collection included semistructured virtual interviews with 14 Black individuals aged 12–25, applying a generic qualitative approach and inductive analysis to the collected data. The study identified two main themes, Black community views toward suicide and Black-specific traumatic experiences, along with seven subthemes: (a) age-dependent views, (b) stigma, (c) familial influence, (d) suicide risk and the Black experience, (e) sociocultural factors, (f) protective factors, and (g) the role of social media. Participants revealed that older adults often dismiss or stigmatize mental health and suicide concerns, emphasizing the need for more supportive spaces for open discussions and access to support and treatment, including social media platforms. Cultural-specific factors (i.e., historical trauma from slavery, discrimination, racism, and police brutality) were discussed by participants, underscoring the importance of targeting suicide prevention efforts toward Black youth on social media and addressing the unique stressors related to racism. Collaboration within the Black community is vital to combat stigma and provide mental health awareness services. These findings hold significant positive social change implications for society, emphasizing the necessity of addressing the mental health needs of Black youth and young adults with cultural sensitivity.
Recommended Citation
Brown Jr., Carlos A., "Collected Voices of Black Youths and Young Adults on Their Perceptions of Suicide" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 14995.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/14995
