Title:
Defining mental health: black male releasees’ perspective
Author:
Nimi A. Briggs
Thesis Advisor:
Emalee J. Quickel
Committee Member:
Frank D. Golom
Committee Member:
Marianna E. Carlucci
Committee Member:
Stephen E. Fowl
Committee Member:
Amanda Konradi
Degree Granting Institution:
Loyola University Maryland--College of Arts and Sciences
Place:
Baltimore (Md.)
Publisher:
Loyola University Maryland
Date Created:
2022
Type of Resource:
text
Genre:
thesis
Language:
eng
Format:
application/pdf
Physical Form:
electronic
Digital Source:
born digital
Abstract:
The issues of mass incarceration cannot be addressed without speaking to the racial disparities and impacts associated with it. Although African Americans make up only about 13 percent of the U.S. population, African American males are largely overrepresented in the penal system compared to non-Black individuals, and disparities have been more acute for them than for any of the other racial groups (Reisig et al., 2007; Travis et al., 2014; Uggen et al., 2006). Thus, clearly identifying the specific needs of Black men regarding effective reintegration and providing efficacious interventions to reduce instances of recidivism is of crucial importance. This study utilized semi-structured interviews of eleven Black Male Releasees (BMRs) to explore the nuance of their definition of mental health and to identify whether current psychological definitions according to the DSM-5 and current literature, accurately capture BMRs’ cultural experiences impacting their mental health. The researcher utilized qualitative content analysis to analyze transcripts of interviews and develop emergent themes. The results indicated that BMRs define mental health through internal and external means, similarly to current psychological definitions. Results also indicated that BMRs place emphasis on persistence of negative emotions when defining mental health and on availability of natural support and resources. Additionally, BMRs’ intersecting identities such as being Black, male, and previously incarcerated, were suggested to be vital experiences that impact their mental health and reentry process. Lastly, stigma and discrimination significantly impact BMRs’ mental health functioning. Continued awareness and advocacy is important to support them in effective reentry.
Subject:
Academic theses
Subject:
Electronic dissertations
Subject:
Thèses et écrits académiques
Subject:
Thèses électroniques
Subject:
dissertations
Degree:
Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Level:
Doctoral
Discipline:
Psychology
Restrictions on Access:
Author has given permission to make this work available online.
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Identifier:
BriggsNA-22
