Semester of Graduation

Fall 2025

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The mental health of Black adolescents is a growing concern, with high prevalence rates of internalizing disorders such as anxiety and depression. National studies report that nearly 47% of Black adolescents experience a mental health disorder by age 18, with over 60% reporting moderate to severe depressive symptomology. Despite these alarming rates, Black youth underutilize mental health services, often due to cultural stigma, limited access to culturally competent care, and under-recognition of their mental health needs. This study aimed to explore problem recognition as a key component in the mental health help-seeking pathway for Black adolescents in school settings. Grounded in the Youth Help-Seeking Pathway (YHSP) framework, the research focuses on the initial stage of problem recognition—whether Black youth can identify internalizing symptoms of anxiety and depression and have positive intentions of seeking school-based mental health help. The study also investigates the role of gender, school connectedness, cultural stigma, and the perceived cultural responsiveness of the school environment as potential factors influencing problem recognition and help-seeking intent. Data was collected from a sample of 5th-8th grade Black/African American students (N = 197) in a southern Louisiana school using a combination of mental health screening tools, demographic questionnaires, and scales measuring school environment perceptions. Through this research, we explored barriers and facilitators influencing Black students' mental health service use to develop culturally-responsive programming to promote early identification and help-seeking in the schools. The results confirmed a significant positive correlation between internalizing symptom severity and problem recognition (r = .40, p < .001), and contrary to assumptions of underreporting, Black students exhibited a high sensitivity rate (82%) in recognizing clinical-level distress. Participants overwhelmingly reported reliance on informal supports such as parents/caregivers (61.4%) and friends (57.6%), as well as self-reliance, over seeking help from formal school mental health staff. Critically, the intention to seek help from school personnel was not primarily driven by clinical need, but was significantly predicted by environmental factors, including school connectedness and perceived diverse teaching practices, underscoring the necessity of creating culturally safe and inclusive school environments for Black students.

Date

11-23-2025

Committee Chair

Anna Long

Additional Files
Adams, Kita_Thesis Defense Results and Approval Form - signed.pdf (483 kB)
Student Approval Forms
Download
Adams, Kita_Thesis Defense Results and Approval Form - signed.pdf (483 kB)

Share

COinS