Showing papers by "Harold W. Neighbors published in 1998"
TL;DR: Using data from the National Survey of Black Americans, the authors explore which demographic characteristics and psychosocial factors are related to contacting Black clergy for help, whether certain types of personal problems increase the likelihood of clergy contact, and whether those who go to ministers are also likely to seek help from other professional help sources.
Abstract: Using data from the National Survey of Black Americans, this article explores the role of African American ministers in the help seeking of African Americans for serious emotional problems. The authors explore which demographic characteristics and psychosocial factors are related to contacting Black clergy for help, whether certain types of personal problems increase the likelihood of clergy contact, and whether those who go to ministers are also likely to seek help from other professional help sources. Results indicate that women are more likely than men to seek help from ministers. People with economic problems are less likely to contact clergy, while those with death or bereavement problems are more likely to seek help from the clergy. Regardless of the type or severity of the problem, those who contact clergy first are less likely to seek help from other professionals. It is recommended that African American clergy and mental health professionals engage in a mutual exchange of information to increase access to professional care among African Americans with serious personal problems.
287 citations
01 Jan 1998
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of African American ministers in the help seeking of African Americans for serious emotional problems was explored using data from the National Survey ofBlack Americans. But, the authors found that women are more likely than men to seek help from clergy.
Abstract: Using data fromtheNational Survey ofBlack Americans, this article explores therole ofAfrican American ministers inthehelp seeking ofAfrican Americans forserious emotional problems. Theauthors explore which demographic characteristics andpsychosocial factors arerelated tocontacting Black clergy forhelp, whether certain types ofpersonal problems increase thelikelihood ofclergy contact, andwhether those whogotoministers arealso likely toseekhelp fromother professional help sources. Results indicate that womenaremore likely than mentoseekhelp fromministers. People with economic problems areless likely tocontact clergy, while those with death orbereavement problems aremorelikely toseek help fromtheclergy. Regardless ofthe type orseverity oftheproblem, those whocontact clergy first areless likely toseek help fromother professionals. Itisrecommended that African American clergy andmental health professionals engage inamutual exchange ofinformation toincrease access toprofessional care amongAfrican Americans withserious personal problems.