Exploring Black students’ mental health characteristics by field of academic study utilizing a critical race lens

ABSTRACT

This study examined the mental health characteristics of 428 Black students from 43 different fields of academic study to determine if there was a relationship between student mental health concerns and their selected field of academic study. Additionally, this study considered the possible impact of racialized stress on the development of Black collegians’ mental health concerns. Holland’s theory on career choice was examined as an explanation for career choice decisions and critical race theory was explored as the reason Black collegians might experience certain mental health concerns. Students from the professions of social work, psychology and nursing represented 33% of the students seeking mental health counseling, suggesting common racialized experiences as a factor in career choice decisions.

KEYWORDS:

• Black collegians
• mental health concerns
• social work
• racial trauma