Mental Health and African Americans: Dissecting Clinician 
Explicit and Implicit Preferences, 
Practices, and Perceptions

• In Event: 66.061 - Intersectional Examinations of Race, Class, and Gender Structured Poster Session

Abstract

This mixed methods study investigated the complexities of race in mental health assessment and services among clinicians working with African American clients. African Americans seeking mental health services can face unique barriers including potential for racial bias, prejudice, discrimination, and racist norms that may inform clinician ability to accurately diagnose and provide appropriate treatment. An electronic survey was used to collect clinician demographic, perceived effectiveness, and a detailed description of what has worked with African American clients during the assessment portion of treatment. After the completion of the survey Implicit Associations Test (IAT) (Greenwald, Mcghee, & Schwartz, 1998) collected the implicit racial preference of the participants followed by a few semi-structured interviews. Differences in effectiveness were found by racial preferences.

Authors

• Tiffany White, Mental Health Systems

• Susan Tracz, California State University - Fresno