Document Type
DNP Project
Department
School of Nursing
Date of Degree
Spring 2024
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Primary Advisor
Dr. Cynthia Allen
Abstract
Background: To improve mental health outcomes, interventions must be rooted in a safe space within the community. Community-based outreach programs for African American men are becoming increasingly common, but whether they are an effective approach to improving Depression recognition and Mental Health Seeking Behaviors, remains unknown.
Aims: The purpose of this Quality Improvement (QI) project was to implement a community-based education program to assist African American male fraternity members in Seattle, Washington to increase their depression literacy, health-seeking behaviors, and increase access to community resources. Outcomes for evaluation consisted of the following three components: (1) depression literacy, (2) mental health- seeking behaviors, and (3) community resource access. Except for access to community resources, these variables were compared before and after the intervention.
Methods: An independent t-test was measured before and after intervention for analysis. Quantitative data was obtained via the Depression Literacy Scale and the Mental Health-Seeking Behaviors Survey. Results: Ten participants submitted their responses to the surveys pre-intervention, and one participant submitted their responses post-intervention. Pre-intervention, participant data indicated limited depression literacy (mean, [SD], 10.20, [2.20]) and neutral feelings regarding mental health-seeking attitudes (4.42, [.38]). Post-intervention data showed improvements in both depression literacy and mental health-seeking attitudes despite low respondent follow-up.
Recommendations: It was identified that community-based interventions provided a positive influence on depression literacy, mental health-seeking behaviors, and access to community resources. The use of community-based interventions is cost-effective and sustainable to help improve the health disparities surrounding behavioral health treatments amongst African American men.
Copyright Notice
©2024 Tiyanna Rodgers. All rights reserved.
Recommended Citation
Rodgers, T. (2024). Effectiveness of a Fraternity-Based Intervention for Improving Depression Literacy and Mental Health Seeking Behaviors in African American Men. , (). Retrieved from https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/son_dnp/157
Open Access
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