Citation

Smith ME, Pahwa R, Harrison G, Shaia WE, Sharpe TL. Smith Coll. Stud. Soc. Work 2022; 92(2): 91-110.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00377317.2022.2034562

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore experiences of violence and victimization among Black adults with serious mental illnesses (SMIs) in mental health services. Fourteen Black individuals with SMIs participated in semi-structured interviews exploring their experiences and definitions of community. Thematic analysis revealed that participants experienced personal and vicarious criminal/violent encounters, putting them at high risk for adverse mental health and quality of life outcomes. Utilizing the structurally engineered trauma perspective and an intersectionality-based framework, implications for social work practice for preventing and reducing violence and victimization with Black populations with SMIs are discussed.

Language: en

Keywords

African american; mental illness; socioeducation; trauma; victimization; violence