title: The experience of mental health service use for African American mothers and youth.
abstract: Little is known about African American families' experiences with mental health services. A purposive sample of 40 dyads of African American youth (aged 13 to 19) and their mothers participated in a cross-sectional qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews that elicited information about their past experiences and satisfaction with mental health services. Though rarely received, group and family therapy were perceived favorably. However, both mothers and youth reported dissatisfaction centered on medication and lack of professionalism, confidentiality, and concern by providers. The failure of mental health services providers to meet basic standards of quality and professionalism may explain the low rate of service use by African Americans.
authors: Juvenile Protective Association, Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA. rthompson@juvenile.org
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Thompson
authors: Barbara L
authors: BL
authors: Dancy
authors: Tisha R A
authors: TR
authors: Wiley
authors: Sylvia P
authors: SP
authors: Perry
authors: Cynthia J
authors: CJ
authors: Najdowski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs