NCJ Number
216236
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 29 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2006 Pages: 721-736
Date Published
October 2006
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study explored the relationship of African-American males’ negative social contextual experiences to factors relevant to the delivery of mental health services.
Abstract
Results from this analysis found that young African-American males reporting a high frequency of negative social contextual experiences reported significantly greater cultural mistrust of mental health professionals and significantly less positive attitudes toward seeking professional help for mental health problems than young African-American males reporting a low frequency of negative social contextual experiences. The successful delivery of mental health services, in general are predicated on an individual’s willingness to discuss openly and freely matters that are most personal. For young African-American males transitioning from foster care, the need for mental health care is arguably much greater than their counterparts in the general population. However, with a high frequency of negative social contextual experiences causing a mistrust and lack of positive attitudes, African-American males are less likely to seek the mental health services needed. Using a small, cross-sectional sample of young African-American males transitioning from foster care (n=74) under the Missouri Children’s Division (MCD), this study explored the relationship of their negative social contextual experiences to 2 factors relevant to the delivery of mental health services to them: cultural mistrust of mental health professionals and attitudes toward seeking professional help. Tables, references