African Americans

Abernethy,A.D. Working with racial themes in group psychotherapy. Group 22(1):1-13, 1998.

Keywords:
Blacks/Cross Cultural Treatment/CUL Lit Review/Cultural Sensitivity/Group Psychotherapy/GTH Lit Review/Psychotherapeutic Processes/Racial and Ethnic Differences

Key Phrase:
processes in addressing racial content in group psychotherapy, 32-yr-old Black female, implications for training

Abstract:
Racial themes frequently emerge in group psychotherapy but are often unaddressed by therapists. Confusion about the relevance of race to the psychotherapeutic process, countertransferential responses, and a lack of training in how to address racial content contribute to therapists' reluctance. Approaches to addressing racial content in groups are examined. A case example of a 32-yr-old Black female is used to demonstrate therapist characteristics and perspectives on the group process that create a climate where racial content can be explored. An exploration of the meaning of racial content provides an opportunity for deepened understanding of interpersonal relationships for patients and therapists. ((c) 1999 APA/PsycINFO, all rights reserved)

Cooper-Patrick,L., Gallo,J.J., Powe,N.R., Steinwachs,D.S., Eaton,W.W., and Ford,D.E. Mental health service utilization by African Americans and Whites: The Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area Follow-Up. Medical Care 37(10):1034-1045, 1999.

Keywords:
Adjustment/African American/Aged/alcohol/Attitude/Attitudes/Baltimore/ÿ/CUL Lit Review/Follow-Up Studies/Followup Studies/general/Health/Health Care Utilization/interview/Interviews/Longitudinal Studies/Medical Treatment (General)/Mental health/Mental Health Services/Racial and Ethnic Differences/utilization/Whites

Key Phrase:
use of mental health services in general medical & specialist mental health settings, African American vs white 18 to >65 yr olds, 15 yr study

Abstract:
Compared mental health service (MHS) utilization and its associated factors between African Americans (AAs) and whites through a household-based longitudinal study with baseline interviews in 1981 and follow-up interviews from 1993 to 1996. Data came from the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area Follow-Up Study. Ss were 59 AAs and 1,072 whites (aged 18 to >65 yrs). MHS usage was defined as talking to any health professional about emotional or nervous problems or alcohol or drug-related problems within the 6 mo preceding each interview. In 1981, crude rates of MHS use in general medical (GM) settings and specialty mental health settings were similar for AAs and whites (11.7%). However, after adjustment for predisposing, need, and enabling factors, individuals receiving MHS were less likely to be AA. MHS use increased by 6.5% over follow-up and AAs were no longer less likely to report receiving any MHSs in the 1990s. AAs were more likely than whites to report discussing mental health problems in GM settings without having seen a mental health specialist and they were less likely than whites to report use of specialty MHSs. Attitudes positively associated with use of MHSs were more prevalent among AAs than whites