Mental health services suffer the substantial limitation of helping only those who seek their assistance. Previous research has demonstrated that mental health stigma, including social and self-stigma, is one of the most significant barriers to an individual seeking available mental health services. Additionally, low levels of social proximity to mental illness may be a significant factor in increased social and self-stigma. Informed by ecological systems theory, this research examined demographic (i.e., gender, race/ethnicity, university) and social proximity factors (i.e., level of familiarity with mental illness and mental health services) that contributed to the mental health stigma associated with seeking mental health services within a university population. Web-based survey responses from 410 undergraduate students at two universities were obtained. A series of hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that while controlling for gender, race/ethnicity, and university, having personally received mental health services predicted lower levels of mental health self-stigma. Consistent with previous findings, a significant predictive quality of social stigma towards self-stigma was also found. However, none of the models utilizing social proximity factors to predict social stigma were significant. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. / Ph. D.

Survivors of sex trafficking report numerous intrapersonal, interpersonal, and contextual challenges which likely play a role in their transition out of commercial sexual exploitation. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to begin investigating survivors’ perceptions of the transition process, namely barriers they encounter along the way. Researchers facilitated semi-structured qualitative interviews with six survivors enrolled in a residential recovery program. Analyses yielded two themes: 1) intrapersonal barriers and 2) service barriers. Intrapersonal barriers included codes such as emotional control, self-perception, addiction, and mental health. Service barriers included codes related to specialized professional support, non-professional support, tangible resources, and intangible resources. This poster will provide an overview of themes and codes, as well as a description of the practical significance of the study results. Findings have important implications for the broader understanding of sex trafficking survivor needs during a particularly vulnerable point in their long-term recovery process.

African American women tend to experience higher health disparities in cancer-related illness than any other female population in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to identify and examine access-related barriers that play a significant role in the decision-making process of this population when seeking breast cancer health services. The central research question explored the effect that barriers to health care have on African American women in the Southeastern region of the United States. Secondary research questions explored the role the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 has on improving access to affordable, quality breast cancer screening services for the sample population. A critical theory lens of racism and ethnicity provided conceptual framework for this case study. Significant findings identified barriers to accessing breast cancer related health services as personal, community, social, systemic, and institutional. Personal barriers identified were related to access, autonomy, and benefits of the Affordable Care Act. Social barriers corresponded to cultural, financial burden, funding, health conditions, insurance, role within the family self-discovery, and spirituality. Community barriers included access, advocacy, and autonomy. Systemic and institutional barriers consisted of doctor listening, doctor's rapport, doctor treatment, lack of trust, and benefits of the Affordable Care Act. Implications for social change included bringing awareness of the need to establish a Breast Cancer Resource Center in the region to engage this population in preventive measures, improve health outcome and reduce health disparities.