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Black Women's Voluntary Use of Mental Health Services Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2020 Black Women's Voluntary Use of Mental Health Services Dr. Natasha Wright Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the African American Studies Commons, Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons, and the Women's Studies Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Natasha N. Wright has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Kelly Chermack, Committee Chairperson, Human and Social Services Faculty Dr. Jeffrey Harlow, Committee Member, Human and Social Services Faculty Dr. Andrew Garland-Forshee, University Reviewer, Human and Social Services Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2020 Abstract Black Women’s Voluntary Use of Mental Health Services by Natasha N. Wright, LCSW MS, Fordham University, 2015 BS, University of Bridgeport, 2012 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human and Social Service Walden University May 2020 Abstract According to the American Psychiatric Association, Black women engage in formal mental health services at a lower rate than White men and women. In addition, the issues faced by Black women engaging in mental health services are multiplicative, major, and often divisive. Much of the research to date has centered on the barriers to, and negative experiences of, Black women in mental health. Grounded in critical race theory and Black womanist thought, this study investigated the lived experiences of Black women who voluntarily engaged in mental health services. The study included a purposive sample of 6 Black women from 2 urban communities in Connecticut who (a) identified as Black, (b) were 18 years of age or older, (c) had continuously and voluntarily used mental health services for at least 3 months, and (d) and had been discharged from mental health services. Colaizzi’s phenomenological method was used to code and analyze the data. Five themes emerged: (a) engaging in mental health services is a last resort; (b) marriage, children, and work-related issues are reasons for seeking out mental health services; (c) overcoming stigma, stereotypes, and cultural myths is necessary for treatment; (d) finding the right fit in a provider is a challenge; (e) coping skills, empowerment, and self-efficacy are outcomes of engaging in mental health services. The results of this study may positively affect social change by directly affecting the work of psychologists, social workers, mental health professionals, doctors, and Black women who are ambivalent about seeking mental health services. Understanding the lived experience of seeking, engaging, and completing mental health treatment can be a catalyst for change among Black women. Black Women’s Voluntary Use of Mental Health Services by Natasha N. Wright, LCSW MS, Fordham University, 2015 BS, University of Bridgeport, 2012 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human and Social Services Walden University May 2020 Dedication This study is dedicated to Black women and girls everywhere; you deserve to be heard, healed, whole, and loved. Acknowledgments To my Lord and Savior: God who makes all things possible! To my sons, Mondre and Courtney, you both are the very beat of my heart. Your smiles motivate me to be better. The two of you are my reasons why. We were not created to journey through life alone. As we journey through life, if we are fortunate enough, we collect priceless treasures called friends that journey with us. To all my friends who have journeyed with me, thank you for your love and support. To Denise, a true friend indeed. Thank you! To Kesia and Teresa, my sister girlfriends, and my colleagues, I know for sure I would not have made it through this process without your support, encouragement and, laughs. Much appreciated. To my parents, Jimmy and Nancy Small, and my sisters, Jasmine and Jocelyn, thank you for all the cooked meals and free babysitting. To my prayer partners, your prayers have carried me through some of my darkest moments. You are my angels. Lastly, I would like to thank my amazing faculty for their guidance, feedback, revisions, and encouragement. To Dr. Kelly Chermack, my committee chair, Dr. Jeffrey Harlow, my committee member, and Dr. Andrew Garland-Forshee, my URR, THANK YOU! Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Background ....................................................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................3 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................6 Research Question .........................................................................................................6 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................6 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................8 Definitions....................................................................................................................11 Assumptions .................................................................................................................12 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................12 Limitations ...................................................................................................................13 Significance..................................................................................................................14 Summary ......................................................................................................................14 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................16 Introduction ..................................................................................................................16 Search Strategies ..........................................................................................................17 Conceptual Frameworks ..............................................................................................18 Critical Race Theory ............................................................................................. 18 Black Womanist Thought ..................................................................................... 22 Mental Illness ...............................................................................................................23 i Prevalence of Mental Illness in the United States ................................................ 23 History of Mental Illness in the African American Community .......................... 25 Mental Illness in Black Women ............................................................................ 26 Mental Health Services ................................................................................................27 Counseling (Therapy) ........................................................................................... 28 Informal Support Systems..................................................................................... 30 Spiritual Practices ................................................................................................. 30 Race and Culture ................................................................................................... 31 Mental Health and Black Women ......................................................................... 32 Race and Health .................................................................................................... 39 Summary ......................................................................................................................40 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................41 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................41 Research Question ................................................................................................ 41 Design and Rationale ............................................................................................ 41 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................44 Methodology ................................................................................................................46
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