Date of Conferral

6-24-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Ethel Perry

Abstract

The high frequency of mental health issues within the Black African Christians communities and the insufficient use of mental health resources, was the driving forces for this study. This qualitative study aimed to explore the attitudes, beliefs, and lived experiences of non-denominational Black African pastors on mental health and identified potential barriers to mental health care and create culturally appropriate solutions by investigating their experiences. The theoretical basis of this study was centered on Goffman’s social stigma theory, which was created by Erwin Goffman, the social identity theory (SIT), and the role identity theory, the latter which served as the conceptual basis for this investigation. The study employed eight in-depth semistructured interviews and thematic analysis to examine the narratives of pastors from diverse backgrounds, and their lived experiences. The four research questions explored perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs toward mental health, and how their approach to mental health issues is influenced and their referral practices when supporting their congregants. The study utilized Smith and Nizza’s interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) design to analyze the perspective of Black African pastors on mental health. The key findings from this research revealed the complex relationship between faith, culture, and mental health, among Black African pastors, confirmed some literature, disconfirmed some research literature. This research study empowered Black African non-denominational pastors to better understand mental health concerns, reduce stigma, and address mental health needs in their congregations, thereby promoting positive societal change.

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