Mental Health Service Use Among Delinquent African-American Boys

While a number of studies have indicated disparities in mental health services use among African-Americans, specific factors that account for within-group disparities have not been thoroughly addressed. With current trend towards cultural competency in social work practice, Clinicians are expected to understand the influence of culture on attitudes and help-seeking behaviors of ethic minority groups. This book focused on cultural beliefs and values that are responsible for within-group differences in mental health services use and clarifies the relationship among variables that connect African-American youths' attitudes with mental illness and its system of care delivery. The analysis should help provide guidance for health policy-makers in designing effective consumer health campaigns, policies, and education programs to encourage mental health service utilization among ethnic minority groups.