"Therapy is Not For Us": Understanding Community and Self-Imposed Stigma on Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors in Black University Students

In the U.S., research has repeatedly shown that mental illness prevalence is rising among all populations. While mental health awareness has increased along with this rise, both the acceptance and severity of symptoms are not uniform among demographics. For example, previous studies have illuminated that black populations tend to have more severe and disabling symptoms, yet are among the lowest in mental health service utilization. The main objective of this qualitative study is to understand factors that impede or facilitate mental health help-seeking in black ethnic groups. A supplemental goal is understanding the nuances between ethnic groups and genders regarding MHHS. Data was collected through SONA systems and a Qualtrics-powered survey. The results were analyzed using thematic analysis and interpreted through Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior. An Outsider’s Perspective (45.7%) and Judgement/Stigma (30.5%) were most cited when considering MHHS. Self-reliance, aversion to vulnerability, and prayer were the reasons participants did not seek help. Lack of financial resources, perceived inefficacy of counseling, and resources being contingent on parental/community approval were the common themes that contributed to lower perceived behavioral control. Finally, most participants felt uncomfortable (36.2%) seeking help in a PNBC due to fears of discrimination and dismissal.

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychological Research

Grantor

Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Oniovosa, Kesiena

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Mendez, Roque V.

• anxiety
• depression
• African American
• African
• Afro-Latino
• Black-Caribbean
• help seeking behaviors
• mental health
• culture
• masculinity
• femininity

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/23637

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/23637