| This research study explored the lived experiences of 10 African American pastors, located in a West South Central state, through the use of basic interpretive qualitative research and a phenomenological design for data analysis. A face-to-face, semistructured interview methodology was used to examine how African American clergy referred their church members to mental health professionals. Role theory was the theoretical framework for the research study. This study found that pastors would refer their church members to mental health professionals if they knew where to send them. It is recommended that additional research is conducted to fully understand the referral patterns of African American pastors to mental health professionals. |
