Exploring the social, economic and cultural factors that influence black parents’ willingness to seek mental health services on behalf of their children

The goal of the study was to explore and describe the views of black caregivers regarding child therapy in Melusi, Pretoria, Gauteng Province. The objectives were to explore and describe the understanding of black caregivers regarding child therapy; to explore and describe the challenges that they experience when accessing therapy for their children and to identify specific cultural or religious values that could affect how they perceive child therapy. A qualitative methodology was utilised and the research served both exploratory and descriptive purposes. The study adopted applied research and a case study research design, to explore the views of black caregivers on child therapy.

Participants aged 20-60 years were selected through purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data was collected until saturation was reached with 8 participants. A pilot study was conducted with two participants which were also included in the main study, moreover the pilot study helped with the refinement of two interview questions and it gave an actual estimate of the duration of the interview. Trustworthiness of the data collected was confirmed through principles such as credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. Thematic analysis was utilised in this study by employing a six-phased reflexive thematic analysis approach. The themes that emerged (See table of themes and subtheme). Recommendations were provided to caregivers, community development organisations, to training institutions, institutions providing primary and secondary education, to government and non-government organisations that offer child therapeutic services, and for future research.