Date of Conferral

11-7-2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Tracy Jackson

Abstract

The issue of how Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) clergy perceive and address parishioners’ mental health challenges is critical. Clergy perceptions are significant because they can greatly influence parishioners’ quality of life and choices regarding mental health care. However, there is limited literature on SDA clergy’s perspectives on these matters. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of SDA clergy regarding how to assist parishioners with emotional and mental health challenges. The theoretical framework was the mental health literacy theory, developed in the mid-1990s. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 10 clergy of African American and Caribbean backgrounds (eight males and two females) from the Lake Region Conference of the SDA organization. Coding analysis involved manual coding to identify eight themes: inability to function, personal challenges, limited training, willingness to address mental and emotional health challenges, perception, willingness to refer to mental health professionals, and continuing education. Findings revealed that clergy’s perceptions were shaped by the psychological or spiritual model of mental health intervention, and their assistance was based on these two models, which reflect their perception. This study’s implications for positive social change include an increase in religious leaders’ awareness of mental health issues while highlighting their influence in encouraging parishioners to attend secular and Christian counseling. Other positive social change implications include encouraging stakeholders to continue investing in clergy continuing education on mental health since a perception of training inadequacy can have consequences on clergy’s personal lives and families.

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