Loading...
Support Across Contexts: A Grounded Theory Study on Mental Health and Supports Among Black Mothers
Parker, Amittia
Parker, Amittia
Citations
Altmetric:
Abstract
This dissertation is a constructivist grounded theory study that used in-depth interviews to explore Black mothers’ experiences with their mental health and social supports and how they access and use supports for their mental health. Mental health is a serious public health concern, and depression is the leading cause of mental illness in the United States. Black mothers with children of all ages have encountered pernicious, multidetermined, racial disparities in the United States for centuries. Black mothers with children of all ages experience a unique intersection of gender, maternal experiences, and race, all of which may contribute to their varied experiences, risks, and strengths. In the extant literature on mental health disparities, the risks and stressors among Black mothers are presented with less attention to their strengths, supports, or culturally appropriate ways to intervene. Therefore, to counter the incomplete and negative narratives about Black mothers, it is imperative to study Black maternal mental health and how Black mothers make choices about mental health supports. Using constructivist grounded theory, this qualitative study entailed analysis of in-depth interviews with 12 Black mothers between the ages of 20 and 39. The interviews were conversational and encouraged the mothers to share their understandings, experiences, and stories. The analysis illuminated how Black mothers describe mental health, social support, and support for mental health. In addition, the analysis revealed an emergent grounded theory process Black Mothers Making Choices about Mental Health Supports including: (1) experiencing changes in circumstances, (2) assessing supports, (3) weighing options, and (4) making choices. Lastly, to radically center Black mothers in the analysis, interpretation, and dissemination, a research poem was developed to tell the story, and facilitate critical self-reflection and action among those who interact with Black mothers to enhance informal, community, and formal mental health support. This study’s findings provide social work researchers, educators, and practitioners with new knowledge regarding experiences of poor mental health among Black mothers and provide a theory of making choices about supports for mental health that can be used to inform future research and develop racially relevant practice interventions.
Description
Date
2021-05-31
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Kansas
Collections
Files
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
Social work, African American, constructivist, maternal health disparities, social support