Developing a culturally-informed model of recovery for Black Americans

Some evidence suggests Black Americans may conceptualize recovery from a psychotic episode differently than the prevailing current recovery model.

Existing models of recovery do not account for structural racism and may not fully capture culturally-specific factors that are important for Black Americans.

PROJECT STATUS

AIMS

This mixed-methods study explores the meaning of recovery as well as predictors of specific domains of functional recovery and quality of life for Black Americans. The results from this study will contribute to a culturally-informed model of recovery in Black Americans and potentially identify important treatment considerations.

METHODS

We will recruit 40 Black individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSDs) and 20 family members of Black people with lived experience of schizophrenia. All participants will complete assessments designed to evaluate various facets of recovery, experiences with racism, racial identity, and neighborhood characteristics, as well as a qualitative interview in which they will be interviewed about their experiences and thoughts about key areas of recovery.

COE PROJECT STAFF

Arundati (Arun) Nagendra, PhD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Corinne Cather, PhD

ACADEMIC ADVISOR

Additional Collaborators

Francis Burnett; Jessica Lewczyk, NP; Kim Mueser, PhD.

Advisory Board

Deidre Anglin, PhD; Beshaun Davis, PhD; Oladunni Oluwoye, PhD; Lisa Razzano, PhD; Corrie Vilsaint, PhD.

Funding

Funding for this project was provided by the President and Fellows of Harvard College (Livingston Fellowship Award).