African American and European American Clergy’s Counseling of Older Adults

This study examines factors associated with the amount of time African American and European American clergy spend counseling older adults for emotional problems. We used a cross sectional survey design with data gathered through the use of a brief, two page, mailed survey, the implementation of which was rooted in Dillman’s Tailored Design Method. The study is based in a mental health literacy framework. This study was completed in a Midwestern metropolitan area with African American and European American, Christian clergy. We used ordinary least squares regression analysis to compare variables’ relationships with the amount of time that clergy spent counseling older people. Findings indicate that clergy who are African American, clergy who have more training specific to mental illness, and clergy who are Roman Catholic spend greater percentages of their time counseling older people. Discussion centers on an explanation of results and how best to support clergy in their role as front line providers of supportive counseling services.