Trust and Concerns About Mental Health Care in African American Families

What is it about?

The research interviewed 32 pairs of African American mothers and their teenage children. It explored what they expected from mental health services, what they experienced, and whether they planned to use them. Clear positive expectations often match positive experiences and intentions to seek help. However, negative expectations did not always match experiences, nor were ambivalent expectations linked to ambivalent experiences. Teens often worry about privacy breaches. Mothers were concerned about the risks of psychiatric medications. Addressing these worries may help more families engage in mental health care. Understanding families’ expectations helps providers improve care. If services match what families expect and address their concerns, they are more likely to seek and continue to care. This matters because many African American families face barriers to accessing mental health support.

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Photo by Eye for Ebony on Unsplash

Photo by Eye for Ebony on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Findings highlight that positive expectations among African American mothers and youth align with positive service experiences and intentions to access care, while negative or ambivalent expectations do not reliably lead to disengagement. Widespread concerns about privacy and psychotropic medication underscore key barriers. Improving communication and addressing these worries could strengthen engagement in mental health services. These insights support development of policy and practice strategies that build trust, respect cultural concerns, and enhance access among underserved communities.