Date of Conferral

5-9-2025

Date of Award

May 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Dr. Ethel Perry

Abstract

COVID-19 highlighted the longstanding systemic and structural racism that produced poor health outcomes in Black communities. Black minorities in the United States were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with less access to health resources, low vaccine rates, and mistrust of healthcare providers and organizations. This interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) explored trust-related health beliefs with medical systems among Black Americans since COVID-19. The study explored the trust-related health beliefs through the six constructs of the health belief model—perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, cues to action, and self-efficacy. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews of six participants who identified as Black Americans and were 18 years of age and older. Data was analyzed using the seven steps of IPA to describe the analysis process based on Smith’s interpretive phenomenological analysis model. From the analysis 12 group experiential themes (GET) and 52 personal experiential themes (PET) were identified surrounding health beliefs and levels of trustworthiness with medical systems. The study confirmed that understanding health beliefs was crucial in shaping an individual's perceptions of trust in medical systems since COVID-19. Further recommendations would include a larger participant pool to gauge whether experiences would vary or yield similar results. The study's outcomes have the potential to forward social change by promoting positive relationships and developing strategies with healthcare institutions, providers, and the community by understanding the unique health experiences of Black Americans since COVID-19.

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