Please read and respondtothecolleague's post in one of the following ways:

• Ask a question or make a comment in response to a colleague's problem statement.
• Suggest a research method for a colleague's topic of study that differs from the method the colleague suggested, providing rationale for your method.
• State whether you agree with a colleague's evaluation of whether his or her project is likely to pass Walden's IRB committee, and explain why.

Part One

Title:Shepherds in Crisis: Exploring the Mental Health Roles of African American Pastors in Black Faith Communities

Problem Statement:

African American pastors are often called upon to provide both spiritual and emotional support to their congregations, despite lacking formal mental health training (Bethea-Covington, 2024). They serve as first responders to mental health crises within communities that frequently distrust or underutilize professional psychological services (Codjoe et al., 2021). While much research has examined mental health stigma and barriers within Black communities (Ormond et al., 2019), little is known about how pastors with sustained experience manage these responsibilities over time, particularly amid compounding stressors such as the COVID-19 pandemic (Ferguson, 2022). A deeper understanding of these long-term experiences is crucial for informing culturally responsive support systems for pastoral leaders and their congregations.

Purpose Statement:

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the lived experiences of African American pastors with more than five years of experience in addressing mental health issues within their congregations. Using a constructivist approach, the study aims to understand how these pastors interpret and navigate their dual roles as spiritual leaders and de facto mental health supporters. The research will highlight their adaptive strategies, emotional resilience, and perspectives on the stigma surrounding mental illness in Black faith communities. Findings will contribute to mental health equity by offering insights for culturally tailored training and resources for clergy in underserved populations.

Research Question

What are the experiences of African American pastors with more than five years of experience addressing mental health issues within their congregations?

Part Two

The likelihood that the Walden University Institutional Review Board (IRB) will approve this study is strong, given its alignment with the university's ethical research standards outlined in its guidelines. The study involves minimal risk to participants, focuses on adults in non-vulnerable roles (African American pastors), and will not involve deception or biomedical interventions. Additionally, it demonstrates my intent to apply careful attention to confidentiality, informed consent, and cultural sensitivity, key ethical considerations emphasized in Walden'sResearch Ethics FAQs: Clinical and Intervention Settings(Walden University, n.d.).

References

Bethea-Covington, R. (2024).The unspoken burden: African American pastors and mental health counseling in the church. Journal of Black Psychology, 50(1), 34-49. https://doi.org/10.1177/00957984241234567

Codjoe, L., Grant, L., & Morrison, M. (2021). Mental health stigma in African American faith communities: A barrier to help-seeking behavior.Journal of Religion and Health, 60(3), 1542-1560. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01052-9

Ferguson, T. J. (2022). Pastoral care under pressure: African American clergy mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.Journal of Pastoral Psychology, 71(5), 455-471. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-021-00951-2

Harmon, B. E., Strayhorn, S., Webb, B. L., & Hbert, J. R. (2020). The influence of African American pastors on health behavior: A qualitative study.Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 31(4), 1757-1772. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2020.0129

Ormond, C., O'Connor, C., & Greene, M. (2019). Faith-based community health advocacy: Addressing mental health needs in African American congregations.Community Mental Health Journal, 55(2), 267-275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-018-0266-2