Social Support Experiences Of Stably Housed Emancipated Foster Youth, Camron L. Whitacre

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Youth emancipating from foster care are at increased risk of housing instability and homelessness and have reduced access to needed social supports to aid in the difficult transition to independent living. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived formal social support experiences of stably housed emancipated foster youth. Purposive sampling techniques and inclusion criteria guided the recruitment of nine study participants from a state-administered postemancipation services program to take part in semistructured interviews. A conceptual framework, including social convoy and attachment theories, informed inquiry, and interpretation of findings. Participant lived experiences illuminated the importance of …

Mental Health Disparities In Social Work Practice Of Minority Youth Offenders, Beverly Ann Rivera

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractA large number of minority youths placed in the juvenile justice system across the United States have mental health disorders. Most of these youths do not receive mental health services or support within the system, which increases risk factors such as undiagnosed and untreated mental illness and adverse outcomes such as recidivism. This action research sought to uncover whether mental health disparities in social work practice in the juvenile justice system were due to race and ethnicity and asked social workers to recommend strategies to improve mental health availability, access, and provision. Participants in the study were social workers who …

Substance Use, Mental Health Problems And Missed Appointments By Race, Gender, And Sexual Orientation Among Hiv-Infected Individuals, Abraham Adonis Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disproportionately affects African American men who have sex with men. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020 African American adult and adolescent African American men accounted for 42% (16,002) of all HIV diagnoses (37,968). Furthermore, while substance use is common among this population, in previous studies very few individuals with HIV have reported receiving substance abuse treatment or discussing substance use with HIV medical providers. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in substance use/mental health problems by race, gender, and sexual orientation among HIV-infected individuals. This study also …

Criminal Thinking, Age, Psychological Well-Being, And Recidivism Among Recently Released Female Violent Offenders, Nyasia Monae Belfrom

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High rates of incarceration among female inmates as well as high rates of recidivism characterize the U.S. justice system. Though some research has been conducted on gendered differences between prisoners, a gap existed in the application of criminal thinking theory for female offenders following their release. The purpose of this quantitative research study was to analyze the relationship between criminal thinking, age, psychological well-being, and recidivism among recently released female violent offenders in the region of Central Texas through the use of Yochelsen and Samenow’s criminal thinking theory. The sample for this study consisted of N = 98 female participants …

Working With Sexually Violent Persons: Grit, The Supervisory Working Alliance, And Burnout, Stalina Harris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Clinicians who work with sexually violent persons (SVPs) are faced with various problems related to the nature of their job duties, job settings, and the specificity of the population they serve. Although researchers have investigated the phenomenon of burnout extensively over the last decade, research focusing on burnout among counselors who work with SVPs is insufficient. The purpose of this quantitative comparative survey study was to investigate differences in burnout among clinicians working with SVPs by examining their grit, the supervisory working alliance, and job settings. The Grit Short Scale (Grit-S), the Supervisory Working Alliance Inventory—Trainee version (SWAI-T), and the …

Understanding Resilience Among Individuals With Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces), Meghan Larson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as abuse, neglect, and dysfunction in a child’s home are considered a public health crisis due to their correlation to health disparities and psychosocial problems in adulthood such as substance use, relationships, education, and maintaining employment. However, some individuals are resilient and demonstrate the ability to adapt and function well despite experiencing adverse events. To better understand resilience when ACEs are present, I conducted a basic qualitative research study to explore the lived experiences of individuals in Tennessee with elevated ACE and resilience scores. A purposeful sample of 12 participants who scored high on ratings …

Importance Of Childhood Maltreatment On Borderline Personality In Adults: Meta-Analysis, Lisa Nicole Trentacosti

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Early childhood maltreatment (CM) is a risk factor for later psychopathology specifically Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). CM has been found to negatively affect social, emotional, and psychological development as well as the ability to foster and sustain interpersonal relationships throughout all stages of life. There are evidence-based interventions for different kinds of CM including Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Alternatives for Families - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT), relaxation training, and social skills training. The current study is a meta-analysis of published research into CM as it contributes to BPD in adults and is designed to examine the effect size of childhood …

African American Mothers’ Experience In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Lauren Magruder

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black/African American (B/AA) mothers struggle disproportionately with problems related to childbirth. B/AA mothers have higher rates of premature births, infant death prior to age one, and death during childbirth. The purpose of this research was to add to present knowledge regarding B/AA mothers who have had a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Womanist theory was selected as a framework for the study because it focuses on the intersection of gender and race in relation to B/AA women. The experience of B/AA women in U.S. society is unique, in that it involves several pervasive stereotypes and controlling images. …

Master’S Level Mental Health Counselor Experiences Working With Offenders In Correctional Settings, Jennifer Bernard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Forensic mental health is considered a specialty at a doctoral level, yet a majority of mental health services in correctional settings are provided by master’s-level mental health counselors. These clinicians lack the specialized education, training, and experience needed to work with offenders in correctional settings. There is limited research on how master’s-level counselors experience providing mental health services in correctional settings and how they manage challenges. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the lived experiences of master’s-level mental health counselors working with offenders in correctional settings. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to facilitate an understanding of …

Caring For The Caregiver: Second Victim Recovery Following A Serious Medical Error, Beulah Patrice Vance

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 1999, it was estimated that 98,000 deaths were attributed to medical errors and were the fourth most common cause of death in the United States. In 2016, medical errors were estimated as the third leading cause of death, with a mean death rate of 251,454 each year. Nurse involved in errors are known as second victims. Almost one in seven staff members reported that they had experienced a patient safety event within the last year that caused personal problems such as anxiety, depression, or concerns about their ability to perform their job. This project explored whether nurses are able …

Service Providers' Perceptions Of Stigma And Its Impact On Mental Health Services, Arthur Gabriel Montes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Stigma is one of the most significant barriers to access and utilization of mental health services in the United States. Delays in receiving mental health services significantly contribute to health disparities and poor health outcomes. Social workers play an integral part in implementing best practices within health care settings and reducing health inequities impacting vulnerable populations. The purpose of this qualitative action research study was to explore social work service providers perceptions' toward stigma and how it affects mental health services among patients in California's Medicaid program. Stigma theory was applied to gain an understanding of how stigma interacts and …

More Than A Myth: The Benefits Of Incorporating Holistic Healing Methods From Native American And Mexican Cultures To Approach Opioid Use Disorder (Oud) Treatment, Juliana Favela

CMC Senior Theses

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a substance use disorder that characterizes a dependence on and an addiction to opioids. Opioids attack the prefrontal cortex, the dopaminergic reward system, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis which is responsible for the body’s stress response. Opioids constantly shift one’s “set point” to the point where normal actions that cause joy and excitement no longer cause those feelings, resulting in craving and dependence. The opioid epidemic is currently ravaging the United States and has disproportionately affected Native American populations specifically in the rural areas (Tipps, et.al, 2018). The current methods for addressing OUD include medicine …

Paternal Postpartum Depression Screening: A Critical Measurement That Is Long Overdue, Nicholas C. Mcclellan

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The birth of a child is one of the most important events in a parent’s life. It is a time of intense emotion, the characteristics of which vary greatly depending on individual circumstances and the relationship between the mother and father. Joy is mixed with feelings of being overwhelmed by the multitude of responsibilities that come with caring for an infant. Changes in relationships and feelings of isolation are common and can be a source of duress for parents. Fortunately, the severity of these emotions is often mild and self-limiting. Sometimes, however, they are severe enough to negatively affect daily …

The Effects Of Therapist Expertise And Concerns Of Involuntary Hospitalization On The Disclosure Of Suicidal Ideations And Behavior, Zane Hensel

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Suicide continues to grow as a complex and multi-faceted problem in prevention and treatment, particularly for college students with an increased predictor of risk of suicidal behaviors. Previous research has indicated that one of the largest concerns for suicide disclosure is a fear of involuntary hospitalization. Over 200 college students participated in examining therapist expertise and understanding information on involuntary hospitalization on their rate of suicide disclosure. A 2x2 MANOVA, a 2x2x2 MANOVA that included gender, and a factor analysis were performed on an ad-hoc 11-question survey assessing suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior disclosure. The results indicated that there was …

The Relationship Between The Stigmatization Of Mental Illness, Communication Apprehension And The Willingness To Communicate, Madeleine Louise Winkler

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This project explores how mental health stigmatization influences communication apprehension and the willingness to communicate about mental illness. A total of 153 people completed an online survey regarding three variables. Perceived stigma and communication apprehension when communicating about their own mental health were found to be positively correlated. Perceived stigma and communication apprehension when communicating about someone else’s mental health was also found to be positively correlated. Communicating about one’s own mental illness lead to higher levels of communication apprehension compared to communicating about someone else’s mental illness. Communication apprehension when talking about one’s own mental health and willingness to …

Examining Differences In Rural, Micropolitan, And Metropolitan School Psychologists Roles And Delivery Of Mental Health Services, Ashley A. Williamson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Mental health service delivery in rural settings has become increasingly limited while rates of mental health concerns among youth have increased. Schools form a common hub in rural areas and they present an opportunity for the assessment of developing disorders as well as a means for delivering mental health services in an affordable and acceptable fashion. School psychologists supporting rural school districts are presented with a unique opportunity to provide various aspects of rural mental health service delivery. Over the last 40 years, little research has been published on rural school psychologist’s roles and responsibilities and their relationship to mental …

Implementing The Mothers And Babies Program To Reduce Preterm And Low Birth Weight Deliveries, Tan Frison

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Georgia ranks fourth (4th) in the nation for the highest low birth weight rate at 10%, and sixth (6th) in the nation for preterm birth rate at 11.7%, among the states. Based on statistical data Bulloch county has maintained an average low birth weight statistic of 10% for over a decade. In 2019, there were 107 preterm and 79 low weight births in Bulloch county, Georgia. These numbers confirm there is a need for more preventive resources for mothers and children within this community. To address this burden, the Bulloch County health department has decided to implement the Mothers and …

Making Deflection The New Diversion For Drug Offenders, Kay L. Levine, Joshua C. Hinkle, Elizabeth Griffiths

Faculty Articles

The argument unfolds as follows. In Part I, we describe the origins and operation of deflection programs that currently exist in the United States and present the published empirical evidence about their effect on recidivism rates, as well as police and user population responses to them. We specifically discuss the LEAD template from Seattle, in addition to other models in Massachusetts and Texas. In Part II, we take a closer look at how conventional policing differs from the pre-arrest diversion program that was recently instituted in Atlanta. Using data from an original dataset of all 2012 felony drug arrests in …

Exploring The Influence Of Self-Efficacy And Autonomy On Outdoor Recreation Behaviors During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Katheryn E. Carpenter

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Outdoor Recreation (OR) provides the benefits of physical activity and traditional leisure along with the addition of the benefits associated with an outdoor environment. Self Determination Theory (SDT) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) state that self-efficacy (SE) and autonomy can increase depending on the physical and social environment. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between self-efficacy and autonomy on OR behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was hypothesized there would be a correlation between individuals who participate in OR activities and self-efficacy as well as autonomy. The research also explored barriers and facilitators to OR via …

Second Generation Christian Korean Canadians: Exploring Their Lived Experiences Of Mental Health Issues And Services, Kyoung Jung Kim

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Abstract

This study explores the lived experiences of second-generation Christian Korean Canadian young adults with mental health issues (MHI) and their use of health services (MHS). In addition, this study asked this cohort to discuss their beliefs about the views their parents held about MHI and MHS. All research participants were born and raised in Canada by Korean born immigrant parents. This study was descriptive, phenomenological, and qualitative in nature; it consisted of in-depth interviews with six male and six female participants. In their experience with MHI, seven participants experienced fear and sadness (depression and anxiety) and three of them …

Harassment And Mental Health In Surgical Training: A Pilot Survey Of Surgical Trainees In Pakistan, Russell S. Martins, Syeda Amrah Hashmi, Hina Inam, Mahin Janjua, Mahim Malik

Medical College Documents

Objective: To assess harassment among surgical trainees and its effects on mental health, and to explore its association with gender.
Methods: The nationwide cross-sectional pilot study was conducted by the Association of Women Surgeons of Pakistan from July to September 2019, and included surgical trainees of either gender working in both public and private hospitals. Data was collected using an anonymous online survey form to assess harassment and self-perceived burnout and depression. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.
Results: Of the 147 respondents, 49(33.3%) were males; 98(66.6%) were females; and 118(80.3%) were residents. Workplace harassment was reported by 80(54.4%) trainees. …

สุขภาพจิตและปัจจัยที่เกี่ยวข้องกับภาวะติดกาเฟอีนของพนักงานบริษัทแห่งหนึ่ง ในเขตกรุงเทพมหานคร, นิศาชล อัศวธาระกุล

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

การศึกษาในครั้งนี้เป็นการวิจัยเชิงพรรณนา ณ ช่วงเวลาใดช่วงเวลาหนึ่ง มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อศึกษาความชุกของภาวะติดกาเฟอีน สุขภาพจิต คุณภาพการนอนหลับ รวมถึงปัจจัยอื่น ๆ ที่เกี่ยวข้องกับภาวะติดกาเฟอีนของพนักงานบริษัท กลุ่มตัวอย่างเป็นพนักงานบริษัทแห่งหนึ่งในกรุงเทพมหานครซึ่งเก็บข้อมูลผ่านการส่งออกแบบสอบถามออนไลน์แก่กลุ่มตัวอย่าง จำนวน 1,406 คน และได้รับแบบสอบถามคืนจำนวน 347 ชุด จากนั้นเมื่อพิจารณาตามเกณฑ์การคัดออกและความสมบูรณ์ของข้อมูลแล้ว พบว่าเหลือชุดข้อมูลจากกลุ่มตัวอย่างทั้งสิ้น 321 ชุด ซึ่งคิดเป็นร้อยละ 92.51 ซึ่งทำให้กลุ่มตัวอย่างในการศึกษาครั้งนี้เป็นผู้ที่บริโภคกาแฟทั้งหมด โดยเก็บข้อมูลระหว่างเดือน พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2564 ถึง กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2565 จากกลุ่มตัวอย่างที่มีคุณสมบัติตามเกณฑ์การคัดเข้า เครื่องมือที่ใช้ในการเก็บข้อมูล ประกอบด้วย แบบสอบถามข้อมูลส่วนบุคคล แบบสอบถามข้อมูลการบริโภคกาแฟ แบบสอบถามภาวะติดกาเฟอีน แบบสอบถามสุขภาพจิต แบบสอบถามคุณภาพการนอนหลับ แบบสอบถามการสูบบุหรี่ แบบสอบถามการดื่มสุรา และแบบสอบถามการใช้สารเสพติดอื่น ๆ ข้อมูลที่รวบรวมได้มาจากกลุ่มที่บริโภคกาแฟทั้งหมดโดยถูกนำมาวิเคราะห์โดยใช้สถิติเชิงพรรณนา ได้แก่ ร้อยละ ค่าเฉลี่ย ส่วนเบี่ยงเบนมาตรฐาน ค่าต่ำสุด และค่าสูงสุด และสถิติเชิงอนุมาน ได้แก่ Chi-square, Independent t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient และ Logistic regression เพื่อวิเคราะห์ความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างตัวแปรสุขภาพจิต คุณภาพการนอนหลับ กับภาวะติดกาเฟอีน ผลการศึกษาพบว่า จากกลุ่มตัวอย่างทั้งหมด 321 คน พบว่า ร้อยละ 55.44 ไม่มีอาการของสุขภาพจิตและโรคซึมเศร้า ร้อยละ 29.91 มีอาการในระดับน้อย ร้อยละ 13.40 มีอาการระดับปานกลาง และร้อยละ 1.25 มีอาการอยู่ในระดับสูง ตามลำดับ ด้านคุณภาพการนอนของกลุ่มตัวอย่างส่วนใหญ่มีคุณภาพการนอนในระดับที่ไม่ดี คิดเป็นร้อยละ 94.08 อีกทั้งเมื่อพิจารณาจากแบบสอบถามภาวะติดกาเฟอีน กลุ่มตัวอย่างจำนวน 248 คน ถูกพิจารณาว่าเป็นผู้ติดกาเฟอีน และ 73 คน เป็นผู้ที่ไม่ติดกาเฟอีน อีกทั้งคะแนนสุขภาพจิตและคุณภาพการนอนมีความสัมพันธ์กัน (r=0.578, p<0.001) ด้านปัจจัยที่มีความสัมพันธ์กับภาวะติดกาเฟอีนอย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติ (p<0.05) ได้แก่ เพศหญิง ดื่มกาแฟ 2 – 4 แก้ว/วัน ดื่มกาแฟสด ดื่มเมนูคาปูชิโน ดื่มกาแฟ 4 – 7 วัน/สัปดาห์ ดื่มกาแฟเพราะเคยชินกับการดื่มเป็นประจำ ดื่มเพื่อแก้ง่วง คุณภาพการนอนไม่ดี และมีอาการของสุขภาพจิตโรคซึมเศร้า สามารถทำนายภาวะติดกาแฟของพนักงานบริษัทในทิศทางบวก ผลจากการวิจัยนี้จะช่วยชี้ให้เห็นถึงความสำคัญในการดำเนินการของบริษัทหรือฝ่ายที่เกี่ยวข้องเพื่อส่งเสริมคุณภาพทางกายและทางจิตใจให้แก่พนักงานออฟฟิศ เนื่องจากผลลัพธ์จากการส่งเสริมนี้จะยังผลต่อการปฏิบัติหน้าที่และคุณภาพของงานด้วย

Income-Related Health Inequality Among Chinese Adults During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Evidence Based On An Online Survey, Peng Nie, Lanlin Ding, Zhou Chen, Shiyong Liu, Qi Zhang, Zumin Shi, Lu Wang, Hong Xue, Gordon G. Liu, Youfa Wang

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Partial- or full-lockdowns, among other interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic, may disproportionally affect people (their behaviors and health outcomes) with lower socioeconomic status (SES). This study examines income-related health inequalities and their main contributors in China during the pandemic.

METHODS: The 2020 China COVID-19 Survey is an anonymous 74-item survey administered via social media in China. A national sample of 10,545 adults in all 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in mainland China provided comprehensive data on sociodemographic characteristics, awareness and attitudes towards COVID-19, lifestyle factors, and health outcomes during the lockdown. Of them, 8448 subjects provided data for …

Neither “Post-War” Nor Post-Pregnancy Paranoia: How America’S War On Drugs Continues To Perpetuate Disparate Incarceration Outcomes For Pregnant, Substance-Involved Offenders, Becca S. Zimmerman

Pitzer Senior Theses

This thesis investigates the unique interactions between pregnancy, substance involvement, and race as they relate to the War on Drugs and the hyper-incarceration of women. Using ordinary least square regression analyses and data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ 2016 Survey of Prison Inmates, I examine if (and how) pregnancy status, drug use, race, and their interactions influence two length of incarceration outcomes: sentence length and amount of time spent in jail between arrest and imprisonment. The results collectively indicate that pregnancy decreases length of incarceration outcomes for those offenders who are not substance-involved but not evenhandedly -- benefitting white …

Enhancing Drug Overdose Mortality Surveillance Through Natural Language Processing And Machine Learning, Patrick J. Ward

Theses and Dissertations--Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Epidemiological surveillance is key to monitoring and assessing the health of populations. Drug overdose surveillance has become an increasingly important part of public health practice as overdose morbidity and mortality has increased due in large part to the opioid crisis. Monitoring drug overdose mortality relies on death certificate data, which has several limitations including timeliness and the coding structure used to identify specific substances that caused death. These limitations stem from the need to analyze the free-text cause-of-death sections of the death certificate that are completed by the medical certifier during death investigation. Other fields, including clinical sciences, have utilized …

The Lived Experience Of Hope In The Midst Of Recovery From A Substance Use Disorder: A Phenomenology, Mary Katherine Lance

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

Substance use disorder (SUD) is difficult to treat, as evidenced by its high prevalence and relapse rates. Research shows, however, that hope may have the potential to create effective and efficient change in the way we prevent and treat SUD. In order to utilize hope in this way, we must have a good understanding of what hope is. This phenomenological study aims to explore and describe the essence of hope through the lived experience of individuals in recovery from a SUD. Through interviews with 20 informants to generate data and an iterative interpretative process to identify shared meanings, hope emerged …

Sexual Expression And Self-Confidence In Long-Distance Relationships, Morgann Kidwell

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

Little is known about the impact of distance on sexual expression and self-confidence in long-distance relationships, especially as mediated by technology. The purpose of the present study is to investigate how sexual expression and self-confidence vary in romantic relationships between those in long- versus short-distance relationships. Data from 327 participants—156 in long-distance relationships and 171 in short-distance relationships—were collected via Amazon MTurk. Results indicate that forms of technology-mediated sexual expression are widely used in long-distance relationships. Technology-mediated sexual expression is positively associated with sexual satisfaction in both long- and short-distance relationships; however, technology-mediated sexual expression was not statistically associated with …

Psychological Distress And Relationship Satisfaction Among Survivors Of Sexual Violence, Alyssa Campbell

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

The World Health Organization (WHO; 2002) has indicated that sexual violence is a serious public health concern, and both the WHO and the United Nations (UN) have declared that violence against women, in particular, is a profound violation of human rights (UN General Assembly, 1993; WHO, 2017). Although the systemic and negative impact of trauma on family and intimate relationships have been well documented, the empirical literature regarding the effects of adult sexual trauma on relationship satisfaction is less robust. These studies are designed to address this gap and will do so with analyses centered on an understudied population: the …

Finding Parity Through Preclusion: Novel Mental Health Parity Solutions At The State Level, Ryan D. Kingshill

Dickinson Law Review (2017-Present)

Recently, the federal government has taken numerous steps to promote the equal treatment (also known as parity) of mental and physical health issues. The two most impactful actions are the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act of 2008 and the Affordable Care Act. These acts focus on the traditional avenue for parity change—insurance regulation. While these acts have improved parity, major gaps in coverage and treatment between mental health/substance use disorder treatment and medical/surgical treatment persist. ERISA Preemption, evasive insurer behavior, lack of enforcement, and lack of consumer education continue to plague patients and healthcare professionals. On its own, federal …

A Qualitative Examination Of The Preparedness Of African American Pastors To Address Issues Of Addiction, Shuntay Tarver, Chaniece Winfield, Judith Preston, Alexis Wilkerson, Pastor Isaac Shorter

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

This study qualitatively explored the preparedness of African American pastors to meet the needs of parishioners with addictions. Findings indicated that African American pastors do not always perceive themselves to be prepared to address issues of addiction, and existing cultural barriers challenge collaboration between human services practitioners and African American pastors. Findings also revealed that despite existing cultural barriers, African American pastors are willing to collaborate with professionals who offer educational opportunities in culturally relevant ways. Human services professionals’ ability to understand cultural nuances of African American pastors is of paramount concern to effectively enhance the quality of life for …