Treatment‐Seeking Disparity Between African Americans and Whites: Attitudes Toward Treatment, Coping Resources, and Racism

Abstract

african americans seek mental health treatment at lower rates than whites. this disparity has been attributed to african americans' attitudes toward services, alternate coping, and differences in care. research on microaggressions adds an important element to this literature. including discussion of microaggressions in counseling training may illuminate subtle student biases. los individuos afroamericanos buscan recibir tratamientos de salud mental en un índice menor que los Blancos. esta disparidad ha sido atribuida a las actitudes de los afroamericanos hacia los servicios, formas de afrontamiento alternativas, y a las diferencias en la asistencia. las investigaciones sobre microagresiones añaden un elemento importante a esta documentación. incluir la discusión sobre microagresiones en la formación de consejeros puede iluminar los sesgos sutiles de los estudiantes.

Impact of lifetime evaluated need on mental health service use among African American emerging adults.

“…For example, research indicates that this population often does not perceive a need for services (Eisenberg et al, 2007; Mowbray et al, 2006; Williams, 2014); thus, it is possible that many African American emerging adults who may have an evaluated need may not readily identify symptoms of mental illness or do not take the initial step to seek formal or specialized mental health services. In addition, stigma related to experiencing a mental illness or seeking services, feelings that mental health services may not be beneficial, and lack of racially/ethnically diverse service providers may prevent some African American emerging adults from seeking and eventually utilizing services (Broman, 2012; Buser, 2009; Ojeda & Bergstresser, 2008). …”

“…Fourth, recall (for example, recalling symptomatology or speaking to any professional about a problem) was also an issue with this study. Most responses were retroactive reports of events that occurred more than a year ago, and reliability of the details of the problem or service utilization may be subject to potential recall bias (Buser, 2009; Maulik et al, 2010). A final limitation is the fact that mental health service use was evaluated over one’s lifetime, which included use prior to age 18.…”

“…Additionally, Eisenberg and colleagues (2013) found that African American college-attending emerging adults reported higher depression rates than their Caucasian counterparts (19.7% versus 14.9%) and experienced suicidal ideations at greater rates than other students (8.6% compared to 5.9% for Caucasians and 5.1% for Asians). While the precise mental illness prevalence rate among this population is unclear, mental health research that is inclusive of African-Americans and emerging adults provides evidence that African-American emerging adults are at risk of experiencing mental illness, are more likely to be persistently ill once diagnosed, and are less likely than other groups to utilize mental health services when needed (Broman, 2012; Buser, 2009; Neighbors et al, 2007; Snowden, 2012). …”

Does Cultural Adaptation Have a Role in Substance Abuse Treatment?

“…For substance abuse specifically, prior evidence demonstrates meaningful racial ethnic differences in drug histories (Shillington & Clapp, 2003), specific drugs used (Moselhy & Telfer, 2002), health consequences of substance use (Iguchi, 2005), and the relation of spirituality (Strada & Donohue, 2006) and acculturation (Epstein, Botvin, & Diaz, 2000; Hahm, Lahiff, & Gutterman, 2003; Klonoff & Landrine, 2000; Strada & Donohue, 2006) to substance use attitudes. In addition, important racial ethnic differences that may affect treatment response have been demonstrated such as pathways to treatment (Iguchi, 2005; Shillington & Clapp, 2003), patterns of treatment engagement and retention (Campbell, Weisner, & Sterling, 2006; Jackson-Gilfort, Liddle, Tejeda, & Dakor, 2001), and cultural attitudes about mental health treatment (Buser, 2009). Together, these differences raise serious concerns regarding a priori assumptions that interventions developed for one ethnic minority group are appropriate for another group.…”

Conducting Health Disparities Research with Criminal Justice Populations: Examining Research, Ethics, and Participation

“…Previous studies have documented the suspicion, mistrust, and negative attitudes among Black Americans toward biomedical research (Buser, 2009; Shaya, Gbarayor, Yang, Agyeman-Duah & Saunders, 2007). It is likely, therefore, that the negative attitude expressed by these participants is similar to that of the Black American community in general.…”