Health Beliefs About Depression Among African American Women

PURPOSE: A qualitative descriptive research study was conducted to explore the health beliefs of African American women and depression to improve insight regarding treatment decisions. DESIGN AND METHODS: Focus group interviews were performed with purposeful sampling of 14 self-identified African American women. FINDINGS: Responses and comments were sorted into five major content areas that represent the core constructs of the Health Belief Model. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Practitioners must seek to understand clients' understanding and explanations of depression to gain insight about ways to build an effective treatment alliance with clients and other practitioners.