The role of cultural competency in the provision of clinical mental health care for collegiate student-athletes

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Lindsey D. Sanders (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
David Wyrick

Abstract: Mental health care providers’ cultural competency related to the culture of athletics is crucial to their clinical care provision for collegiate student-athletes. However, little research has been conducted in applying a theoretical framework to explore providers’ intentions to provide culturally competent care to this specific student population. Understanding providers’ perceptions of student-athletes is integral in assuring clinical care provision that is culturally responsive related to the culture of athletics. This study aimed to investigate the antecedents that affect mental health care providers’ levels of cultural competency specific to the collegiate student-athlete population and explore the determinants of providers’ intention to be culturally responsive to the unique needs of collegiate student-athletes. An adapted Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was developed as the theoretical research framework. The extension was implemented by incorporating three new variables: self-efficacy related to communicating with student-athletes, empathy specific to student-athletes, and knowledge related to the culture of athletics. Data were collected using an online survey method and analyzed using structural equation modeling and multiple regression analysis. The results indicated that all scales in the survey were reliable on which to base the results of the data analysis. The percentage of student-athletes on a mental health care provider’s caseload was the strongest predictor of the provider’s self-efficacy, empathy, attitudes, and intention to provide culturally responsive clinical care to student-athletes. Results further revealed that self-efficacy related to communicating with student-athletes, empathy specific to student-athletes, and positive attitudes related to the culture of athletics are all individually predictive of intentions to provide culturally responsive clinical care. This supports the study’s conceptual model to be used in future research about student-athlete mental health. Results indicate the need for professional development specific to this student population, and suggestions for further research are discussed.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2021
Keywords
Clinical care provision, Counseling, Cultural Competency, Mental Health, Public Health, Student-Athletes
Subjects
College athletes $x Counseling of
College athletes $x Mental health
Cultural competence

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