African Americans and recovery from severe mental illness
Open accessAbstract
This hermeneutic phenomenological study examined the lived experience of African-American persons recovering from serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI). Semi-structured interviews were conducted at three time points (6, 12, and 18 months) with nine African Americans with SPMI. A culturally sensitive perspective informed the data analysis. Interviews were transcribed, read, and coded to cluster thematic aspects in each case and across cases. Atlas-ti was used to recode transcripts and retrieve quotes to dimensionalize each theme. Four themes were identified: (1) striving for normalcy, (2) striving to stay “up,” (3) coping with the consequences of illness, and (4) leaning on the supports that watch out for and over me. Findings were anonymously reviewed and critiqued by African-American research clinicians. Implications for practice include sensitivity to the intersection of racial oppression and stigma specific to mental illness, attention to meso- and macro-level needs, and client's positive responses to collaborative and personalized relationships with mental health professionals.
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Some studies described a spiritual form of connection with a "higher power" or "God" as important for recovery.
“Some studies described a spiritual form of connection with a “higher power” or “God” as important for recovery (37, 40, 56).”
From Recovery from Severe Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review of Service User and Informal Caregiver Perspectives (2021) · cites this paper as [37]
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- Authors
- Armour, M. P., Bradshaw, W., & Roseborough, D.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas at Austin (US)
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (US)
- St. Catherine University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Armour, Marilyn Peterson
- Venue
- Social Work in Mental Health
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2009-06-30
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 602-622
- ISSN
- 1533-2985 (ISSN-L)
- 1533-2993
- OpenAlex
- W2031622119
- Cited by
- 33
- References
- 50
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 9.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- ir.stthomas.edu
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- Social Work in Mental Health (publishedVersion)
- UST Research Online (University of St. Thomas - Minnesota) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mental Health and Patient Involvement
- Keywords
- African Americans, serious and persistent mental illness, recovery, lived experience, racial oppression, mental health stigma, coping, social support, normality, professional-client relationship, culturally sensitive practice
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