Revealing Roots: Examining the Intersection of Trauma, Mental Health, and Bioecological Impact on Pentecostal Black Male Pastors

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe Pentecostal Black male pastors in their understanding of (or experiences with) trauma and mental health in the context of the inclusion of bioecological effects and any thoughts about the potential impact on their congregations in California. The chosen theories complement the lived experiences of these pastors. Based on the research questions, interview questions, and data analysis, the following themes and one subtheme emerged: Their Roots Tell a Story: Lived Experiences of Identity Formation and Early Trauma with subtheme Rejection: Lived Experience of Exclusion and Emotional Wounding, Revelation: Lived Experiences of Insight and Meaning Making through Adversity, Trauma in The Church: Lived Experiences of Understanding the Roots of Suffering in the Formation of the Black Church, and Complexity in Perspective: Lived Experiences of Messaging through Mulitfaceted Viewpoints. Data collection consisted of semi-structured, open-ended interviews with six participants. Interviews were recorded utilizing Zoom videoconferencing. Miles and Huberman's (1994) data analysis was used in conjunction with van Manen. Individually, these pastors shared the varying impact of their experiences while spotlighting that one’s roots play a crucial role in understanding oneself and one’s world.