We are not okay: Exploring Black masculinities, race-related stress, and help seeking attitudes in Black men

Abstract

Griffith and Cornish (2018) suggest that Black men are often tasked with navigating society as beings that are both feared and adored. Black men in college are often tasked with navigating spaces that view their Black bodies as a threat. The purpose of the proposed study is to explore the relationships between Black masculinities, race-related stress, and attitudes towards seeking professional mental health services in Black men who are enrolled in college. Additionally, based upon a review of the existing literature, this study is believed to be the first time Black masculinities has been defined as a construct in relationship with mental health help- seeking attitudes and race-related stressors. This study seeks to define Black masculinities as a construct that can predict mental health help seeking attitudes. It is hypothesized that Black masculinities and race-related stress will negatively predict mental health help seeking attitudes in Black and African American men in college. Multiple regression analysis will be used to look at the relationship between two predictor variables (Black masculinity and race-related stress) on one criterion variable (Help Seeking Attitudes). The results will inform university and college campuses, counseling centers, and communities on ways to assist mental professionals who may need to receive more training to learn how to effectively respond to race-related stressors within Black men. Furthermore, this study may inform college administration and college counseling centers on new ways to adequately assess the needs of Black men on campus. This information will be useful for creating events and organizations that highlight the mental health needs of Black men.