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Cultural Mistrust of Mental Health Professionals Among Black Males Transitioning from Foster Care

Journal of Child and Family Studies volume 20, pages 605–613 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

We examined cultural mistrust of mental health professionals among Black males who are transitioning from the foster care system (N = 74) and its relationship to their level of satisfaction with child welfare services and the frequency of negative social contextual experiences. Results of hierarchical regression analysis showed that the level of satisfaction with child welfare services moderated the relationship between negative social contextual experiences and cultural mistrust of mental health professionals. Specifically, more frequent negative social contextual experiences were related to greater cultural mistrust of mental health professionals for Black males reporting low satisfaction with child welfare services, but not for those reporting high satisfaction with child welfare services. Implications for service delivery are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (5R03MH067124-02). We appreciate the comments and recommendations of anonymous reviewers. Points of view, interpretations, or opinions in this paper do not represent the views, opinions, or policies of NIMH. We are grateful to the young men who participated in this research project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3995, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA

    Lionel D. Scott Jr

  2. Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Chicago at Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA

    Henrika McCoy

  3. Silver School of Social Work, New York University, New York, NY, USA

    Michelle R. Munson

  4. School of Public Health, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

    Lonnie R. Snowden

  5. The School of Social Service Administration, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    J. Curtis McMillen

Authors
  1. Lionel D. Scott Jr
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  2. Henrika McCoy
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  3. Michelle R. Munson
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  4. Lonnie R. Snowden
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  5. J. Curtis McMillen
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Correspondence to Lionel D. Scott Jr.

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Scott, L.D., McCoy, H., Munson, M.R. et al. Cultural Mistrust of Mental Health Professionals Among Black Males Transitioning from Foster Care. J Child Fam Stud 20, 605–613 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-010-9434-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-010-9434-z

Keywords

  • Cultural mistrust
  • Black males
  • Foster care
  • Service satisfaction
  • Negative social contextual experiences