Dissertation
Self-reported experiences in family therapy of lower-income Black adolescents in a residential treatment facility: a phenomenological study
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Mar 2017
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-7218
Abstract
Residential treatment facilities (RTFs) have become a significant intervention within the system of care (SOC) spectrum. RTFs provide a broad array of mental health services to youth and families experiencing severe behavioral, emotional and/or psychological problems. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews, this transcendental phenomenological study examined the experiences of lower-income Black adolescents in family therapy in a RTF, located in a large urban Northeastern city of Philadelphia. A sample of 15 Black male and female RTF residents, aged 15 and 16, participated in this study. The analysis of the data was guided by the frameworks of Narrative and Africana womanism theories, as well as the multicultural perspective (MCP). The study categorized its findings in 6 general themes and 24 subthemes. The general themes included: (1) views on receiving family therapy in the RTF; (2) therapeutic alliance and relationship with RTF therapist; (3) developmental and cognitive shifts in self; (4) treatment goals in family therapy in the RTF; (5) views on racial inequalities and injustices; and (6) experiences with trauma and loss. Overall, most participants found family therapy in the RTF to be helpful. The data also suggested that although most participants' narratives included the salience of race, race was an under-discussed topic in therapy. Conversely, far fewer participants situated their experiences in the context of age or gender. Finally, class was only mentioned vaguely, if at all. It remained unclear whether participants understood the concept of social class, as inconsistent self-identification of social class was common among the sample. All in all, the study clearly demonstrated that familial involvement in RTF therapy for Black adolescents was helpful in achieving successful therapeutic outcomes across a range of mental health diagnoses.
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Details
- Title
- Self-reported experiences in family therapy of lower-income Black adolescents in a residential treatment facility
- Creators
- Misbha Enam Qureshi - DU
- Contributors
- Kenneth V. Hardy (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xvii, 296 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Counseling and Family Therapy; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 7218; 991014632318004721