Date of Conferral

2-8-2024

Date of Award

February 2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Nursing

Advisor

Deborah Lewis

Abstract

African Americans (AA) are one of the groups disproportionally affected by health care disparities. Despite years of research and government funding, the health of AA continues to decline, and a variety of factors intermingle to produce this effect. Furthermore, trust has been identified as contributing to poor health outcomes in AA. There is a gap in the literature about the lack of trust between AA and health care providers (HCPs), and information about how AA define, perceive, and experience trust in interactions with health care providers and the health care system is lacking. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the characteristics of trust and its meaning in the building of trusting relationships between AA and HCPs. A qualitative interpretive phenomenological analysis approach was used to answer the research question. Data were collected from the 10 participants through individual, one-on-one interviews. All participants identified as AA and had experienced the phenomenon of interest. Four central themes emerged from data analysis: (a) depersonalization, (b) challenges of being AA, (c) building trust, and (d) being your own advocate. Each central theme had multiple subthemes to support it. The findings provided insights to facilitate positive social change for AA patients by empowering them to become agents of change for their health care. Additionally, the study findings may help HCPs build trust and strengthen their relationships with AA by designing interventions that enable AA patients to become engaged and proactive in their care.

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