Enabling factors of mental health service use among African Americans.
The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence use of mental health service (MHS) by African Americans (AA) first-time voluntary users who accessed public MHS. Using a grounded theory approach, 24 participants were interviewed. Three major enabling factors - family, valued others, and beliefs - were identified that focused on the ability to secure needed MHS. Findings indicate an under identified and underused strategy for meeting first-time users' perceived needs. Findings have implications for culturally competent outreach and future research.
Hines-Martin
Vicki
V
University of Louisville School of Nursing, Louisville, KY 40292, USA. uphine01@Louisville.edu
Brown-Piper
Ada
A
Kim
Sanggil
S
Malone
Mary
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D011634:Public Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology