It has been well-established that mental health care disparities disproportionately affect individuals from low-income and cultural minority backgrounds. While some of these disparities can be explained in terms of systems issues, it is important to understand the lived experiences of individuals who may be seeking mental health services. This research has been funded by a variety of sources, including NIMH and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Psychosis-risk stigma and help-seeking: Attitudes of Chinese and Taiwanese residing in the U.S.
(PI: Emily He) [Completed Project]
This experimental vignette study examines the relationship between stigma and help-seeking attitudes for attenuated psychotic symptoms in an online sample of Chinese and Taiwanese individuals in the U.S. The extent to which existing theory on psychosis stigma for Chinese groups extends to the clinical high-risk (CHR) state for psychosis will be explored. We have published one paper from this project.
Barriers and facilitators to aftercare engagement
(PI: Keefe) [Completed Project]
This qualitative study examined the barriers and facilitators that affect engagement with aftercare mental health treatment following psychiatric hospitalization. Of particular interest is the extent to which conceptualizations of mental health and illness may be related to attitudes towards and intention to seek aftercare services. We have published one paper from this project and currently have one paper under review.
The Strong Black Woman role and Help-Seeking
(PI: Nelson) [Completed Project]
In this qualitative study of 30 African American women, we examined how African American women conceptualize strength and the Strong Black Woman (SBW) role, the implications of adhering to the SBW role, and how the SBW role is associated with help-seeking. We have published two papers from this project.
The Worcester Mental Health Needs Assessment
(Co-PIs: Cardemil & Torres Stone) [Completed Project]
This project, conducted in collaboration with the Worcester Division of Public Health and funded by the Fairlawn Foundation, explored the mental health needs of the Worcester community. 61 qualitative interviews were conducted with executive directors of mental healthcare serving agencies, providers, and Worcester residents. City-level quantitative data were also analyzed. A report was written up for the city of Worcester, and we are currently have one paper under review for publication.
Y sigo siendo el rey: The impact of gender, culture, and trauma on treatment engagement among court-mandated Latino men
(PI: Sanchez) [Completed Project]
This project used qualitative methods to explore sociocultural influences on treatment engagement among court-mandated Latino men who had perpetrated a violent crime.
Treatment-seeking for depression among low-income, Latino men
(PI: Cardemil) [Completed Project]
This mixed-methods investigation, funded by NIMH, investigated the culture- and gender-based psychological variables underlying the underutilization of depression treatment by low-income, Latino men experiencing clinically significant symptoms of depression. We are currently working on multiple papers for publication.
Religion, spirituality, and mental health help-seeking among Latinos
(PI: Moreno) [Completed Project]
This research used qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate the role of religion and spirituality on attitudes towards and use of formal mental health services. We published two papers from this project.