African Americans, Anxiety Disorders, and Psychotropic Medication: Ethnocultural Treatment Considerations
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Authors
Johnson, Kimberly E.
Issue Date
2006
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
African Americans' perceptions, experiences, and attitudes toward anxiety disorders are relatively unexplored areas. Understanding the ethnocultural factors that impact the attitudes and concerns of African Americans to seek treatment and use psychotropic medication is particularly important to provide culturally competent treatment. This study examines research pertaining to African Americans spanning the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV TR) category of anxiety disorders. Therapeutic versus psychopharmacological methodologies currently considered most effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders are reviewed. The specific psychotropic drug classes examined include benzodiazepines, beta-blockers, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and special drugs such as buspirone (BuSpar). The significant focus of this study is ethnocultural treatment considerations for African Americans. Factors reviewed range from historical mental health care treatment, mistrust, stigma, and family and church support to culturally competent treatment by clinicians. In addition, psychosocial factors that warrant consideration, such as coping skills, personal suffering, generation cohort, and exposure to psychotropics, are presented. This study uses quantitative research methods. The intent is to identify factors that contribute to African Americans' positive attitudes toward psychotropic medication in the treatment of anxiety disorders. The assumption is that the willingness of participants to recommend psychotropic medication to others is an indicator of a positive attitude and belief in the efficacy of psychotropic treatment.