A Culturally Tailored Psychoeducation Group for Reducing Mental Health Stigma of African American Women and their Social Support
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8907964 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Courtney Williams (0000-0001-5328-7517, Auburn University, corresponding author), LaKaylyn Washington (Auburn University), Brian E Mccabe (0000-0001-8637-9223, Auburn University), Brian McCabe, Katilya Ware (0000-0002-4894-0531, Auburn University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 62 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 443-447 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-24 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Community Mental Health Journal (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0010-3853 • E-ISSN: 1573-2789 |
| Publisher | Springer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10597-025-01537-x |
| PMID | 41134492 |
| OpenAlex | W4415496015 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 19 |
This engagement award project evaluated the preliminary effectiveness of a culturally tailored psychoeducation session aimed at reducing mental health stigma among African American women and their social support networks. Participants included 25 community members, including African American women of reproductive age and members of their social support networks, engaged in a two-hour psychoeducation group session. This session addressed perinatal mood disorders, cultural and historical factors contributing to mental health stigma, impacts of untreated conditions, and culturally appropriate resources. Participants completed the Stigmatized Attitudes Toward Mental Illness Scale (SATMIS) before and after the psychoeducation session, along with a satisfaction questionnaire. Analysis revealed a large (Cohen's d = 0.98), significant reduction in stigmatized attitudes toward mental illness from pre-session (M = 62.4, SD = 10.2) to post-session (M = 48.9, SD = 9.7; p < .001). Most (92%) participants reported high satisfaction with the psychoeducation session. This engagement project provides preliminary evidence that a brief, culturally tailored psychoeducation group session can effectively reduce mental health stigma among African American women and their support networks. Given the disproportionate burden of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMADs) and maternal mortality among African American women, this approach shows potential for addressing a significant barrier to mental health care utilization in this population
African american · Mental health · Mental illness · Mood · Psychoeducation · Social stigma · Social support · Stigma (botany · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Evidence for effective interventions to reduce mental-health-related stigma and discrimination
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Postpartum Depression Care Among Low-Income Women
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Factors Associated With Early Postpartum Depressive Symptoms
Racism, African American Women, and Their Sexual and Reproductive Health
Psychological Distress and Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Services Among Black Women
Black feminist theory in maternal health research
Exploring Black and South Asian women’s experiences of help-seeking and engagement in perinatal mental health services in the UK
(Re)Framing Strength
Increasing Diagnosis and Treatment of Perinatal Depression in Latinas and African American Women
The Relationship of Social Support to African American Caregivers’ Help-Seeking for Emotional Problems
Attitudes About Mental Illness and its Treatment
Black Cultural Strengths and Psychosocial Well-Being
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |