title: Rural African American clergy: an exploration of their attitudes and knowledge of Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: Rural African American clergy's ability to recognize Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and their capacity to provide support to elders with this illness has been neglected in the literature. Using a mental health literacy framework, the purpose of this research was to explore rural African American clergy knowledge and beliefs of AD. In-depth interviews were conducted with 9 African American clergy who oversaw churches in central Kentucky. Although few had direct experience with providing pastoral care to elders with AD, all clergy were literate and aware of the need for additional training. This study seeks to further clarify the role of African American clergy and their understanding of AD to inform the future development of appropriate interventions and establish better collaborative community treatment relationships.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Washington 99004, USA. kim_stansbury@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Kim L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Stansbury
authors.forename: Gillian L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Debra A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Harley
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D002977:Clergy / Q000523:psychology*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003469:Culture; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007629:Kentucky; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010327:Pastoral Care / Q000193:education / Q000941:ethics; D012380:Role; D012424:Rural Population; D012944:Social Support