A systematic review: Perception and attitudes surrounding mental illness within the African American community Open Access

Brewer, Ericka (2016)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/3n203z93x?locale=en
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Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of published studies that assess the perceptions, attitudes and stigma that surround mental illness within the African American community.

Methods: A systematic review of existing literature was conducted. Original publications were retrieved from databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, and National Center for Biotechnology Information. The author retrieved 88 articles on mental illness, stigma in African Americans. Out of these, 6 were reviewed but only 4 publications were considered complete to be included within the systematic review. Relevant information including gender, ethnicity, measures of association, population studied, and year/place of publication, study implementation were extracted from the articles. This information was presented in a descriptive graphic format.

Results: The research concerning perceptions, attitudes, and stigma surrounding mental illness within the African American community is limited. Results suggested that future research will need to be conducted surrounding mental illness within the African American community concerning perceptions, attitudes, stigma, and coping behaviors amongst this community. Studies that were reviewed suggested they are not very open to acknowledging psychological problems, are very concerned about stigma associated with mental illness, and are somewhat open to seeking mental health services, but they prefer religious coping. Significant gender and age differences were evident in attitudes and preferred coping. The current studies being conducted are functioning to eliminate disparities that surround mental illness, and provide a more in depth look at coping strategies that are currently being used.

Conclusion: This systematic review used methodology that will assist researchers with future studies concerning mental illness as they begin to better understand the underlying stigmatism that cultivates perceptions and attitudes within the African American community.

Table of Contents

Title Page…………………………………..………………………………………………...i

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………….ii

a. Background b. Methods c. Results d. Conclusion e. Keywords

List of Tables…………………………………………………………………………………iii

List of Figures………………………………………………………………………………..iv

Chapter I. Introduction…………………….………………………………………………1

Problem Statement……………………………………………………………….............2

Study Significance………………………………………………………………...............3

Background…………………………………………….…………………………..............4

Prevalence of mental illness ……………………………………….……………..........5

Disparities in mental illness……………………………………….……………...........6

Barriers ………………………………………………………………………….................7

Seeking Care…………………………………………………………………...................7

Demographic Factors…………………………………………………………................7

Patient Attitudes………………………………………………………………................7

Stigma…………………………………………………………………………...................8

Perspectives on mental illness…………………………………………………............8

II. Systematic Review of Literature………………………………………………….....10

Introduction……………………………………………………………………...............10

Review of Literature…………………………………………………………….............10

III. Methodology……………………..…………………………………………………....13

IV. Results……………………………..…………………………………………....…......14

V. Discussion………...………………………………………………………………….....16

References…………………………………………………………………………….........19

Appendices…………………………………………………………………………...........21

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