Do I really need to go and see somebody? Black women’s perceptions of help-seeking for depression

Authors

Tamara Nelson, Clark University
Naysha N. Shahid, Clark University
Esteban V. Cardemil, Clark UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Black women are among the most undertreated groups for depression in the United States. Few studies have addressed perceptions of help-seeking for depression among Black women. In this study, we interviewed 30 Black women and explored the help-seeking process for depression vis-a-vis social constructivism, intersectionality theory, and the Strong Black Woman (SBW) role, a gendered and racialized role consisting of adherence to strength through independence, emotion regulation, and caretaking. Qualitative analysis revealed that despite positive attitudes toward help-seeking, many participants declined or hesitated to seek treatment. We identified three themes that informed the help-seeking process: (a) You should see somebody; I just would not; (b) Do I really need to go and see somebody; and (c) Self-care despite what others may say. With regard to the influence of the SBW role, we also identified three themes: (a) Masking or ignoring pain, (b) Inability to ask for help, and (c) Lack of self-care. Our findings emphasized the importance of considering how the SBW role may be associated with help-seeking for depression among Black women.

Publication Title

Journal of Black Psychology

Publication Date

2020

Volume

46

Issue

4

First Page

263

Last Page

286

ISSN

0095-7984

DOI

10.1177/0095798420931644

Keywords

black women, depression, help-seeking behavior, mental health services

Repository Citation

Nelson, Tamara; Shahid, Naysha N.; and Cardemil, Esteban V., "Do I really need to go and see somebody? Black women’s perceptions of help-seeking for depression" (2020). Psychology. 210.
https://commons.clarku.edu/faculty_psychology/210