How African Americans With Severe Mental Illness and Trauma Experience Diet and Exercise.

African Americans have a higher prevalence of obesity and obesity-related diseases than other racial/ethnic groups; among persons with serious mental illness (SMI), African Americans fare worse as well. This qualitative study focused on the perceptions of African Americans with SMI in regard to 1) their experiences with diet and exercise behaviors post trauma and 2) how diet and exercise programming can address trauma. A community-based participatory research (CBPR) team developed the interview guide, research protocols, and conducted three focus groups.

Perspectives on diet and physical activity among urban African Americans with serious mental illness.

African Americans are burdened by high rates of obesity that contribute to chronic disease and early mortality. To tailor a weight loss intervention to meet the needs of African Americans with serious mental illness, a community-based participatory research (CBPR) team comprised primarily of African Americans with serious mental illness guided qualitative research to understand factors that affect weight and interventions that may diminish obesity. Data from five focus groups (n = 55) were analyzed to better understand this group's needs.

Self-stigma and the mediating impact of the "why try" effect on depression.

The "why try" effect, a consequence of self-stigma, is a sense of behavioral futility that may worsen depression. This study examines the regressive model of self-stigma, the factor structure of a why try measure, and the pathway through which self-stigma leads to depression. Data from 291 people self-identifying with mental illness were collected through an online survey.