African American women's beliefs about mental illness, stigma, and preferred coping behaviors.
We examined African American women's representations/beliefs about mental illness, preferred coping behaviors if faced with mental illness, whether perceived stigma was associated with treatment-seeking, and if so, whether it was related to beliefs and coping preference, and whether these variables differed by age group. Participants were 185 community-dwelling African American women 25 to 85 years of age. Results indicated the women believed that mental illness is caused by several factors, including family-related stress and social stress due to racism, is cyclical, and has serious consequences but can be controlled by treatment. Participants endorsed low perceptions of stigma. Major preferred coping strategies included praying and seeking medical and mental health care. Age differences were found in all variables except stigma.
Ward
Earlise C
EC
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing, 600 Highland Avenue, K6/340 Clinical Science Center, Madison, WI 53792, USA.
Heidrich
Susan M
SM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D013240:Stereotyping; D014481:United States