Using the Multidimensional Adolescent Satisfaction Scale , satisfaction with counseling and associated variables were examined among Black males (n = 47) transitioning from the foster care system. Potential associated variables assessed were foster care custody status, counseling status, diagnosis of major depression and disruptive behavior disorder based DSM-IV criteria, history of placement in congregate care settings, attitudes toward mental health services, stigma beliefs, and masculine norms. Results from simultaneous multiple regression analysis showed that attitudes toward mental health services contributed significantly to satisfaction with counseling. Specifically, Black males who expressed more positive attitudes toward mental health services in terms of confidence in mental health professionals and the therapeutic process reported greater satisfaction. Implications and future research directions are discussed.
KeywordsBlack males; foster care; client satisfaction; counseling; attitudes toward mental health services Despite the growing interest in consumer's level of satisfaction with services among public and private systems of mental health care, focus on the level of satisfaction with mental health services among children and youth has not matched the attention given to adult consumers (Garland, Haine, & Boxmeyer, 2007). Among young consumers of mental health services, studies clearly show that children and youth in foster care utilize significantly more services than their counterparts who are (a) recipients of SSI, AFDC, and other types of statewide Medicaid assistance (dosReis, Zito, Safer, & Soeken, 2001;Harman, Childs, & Kelleher, 2000), (b) living in poverty (Farmer et al., 2001), and (c) receiving services in other sectors of care such as the juvenile justice system (Hazen, Hough, Landsverk, & Wood, 2004). In this study, we focus on Black males who are transitioning from the foster care system. Specifically, their level of satisfaction with counseling and the variables associated with their satisfaction are examined.*Correspondence may be addressed to Lionel D. Scott, Jr., Georgia State University, School of Social Work, P.O. Box 3995, Atlanta GA 30302; email: lscottjr@gsu.edu, Tel.: +1 404 413 1064; fax: +1 404 413 1075. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
NIH Public Access
Author ManuscriptChild Youth Serv Rev. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2010 January 1. Despite the disproportionate representation of Black children in the foster care system (Wulczyn & Lery, 2007), studies indicate that Black children and youth in public sy...