The Lingering Wound: Examining the Interplay of Cultural Mistrust, Help-Seeking Attitudes, and Race-Based Counseling Preferences Among Black Americans

This mixed-methods study examined the relationship between cultural mistrust, help-seeking attitudes, and race-based counseling preferences among Black Americans. Prior research has suggested that there is a notable underutilization of mental health services within the African American community. There is a lack of studies that integrate both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore the reasons behind this underutilization. Participants were recruited through a convenient sampling method and a total of 74 individuals aged 18 and older agreed to take part in the study. The Client Preference Scale (CPS), the Cultural Mistrust Inventory (CMI), the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychology Help Scale-Short Form (ATSPPHS-S), and a demographic questionnaire. Additionally, 20 participants were interviewed to share their lived experiences regarding the topic under investigation. A multiple regression analysis revealed that cultural mistrust was not a significant predictor of race-based counselor preference. However, help-seeking attitudes emerged as a significant predictor of race-based counselor preference. All 20 participants who participated in the follow-up interview contend that having more Black therapists in the mental health field can help reduce mental health care disparity for the Black community. There are implications for healthcare providers and policymakers to advocate changes in the healthcare field to provide multicultural training for White providers and eliminate systemic racism and other barriers that preclude Black Americans from utilizing mental health services.