NHS4000 Applying Library Research Skills Identifying Academic Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Through Summons and Pubmed, two databases that carry articles from multiple sources, I was able to access peer reviewed and scholarly articles related to healthcare disparities among African Americans related to mental health. Through advanced searching, I was able to narrow my search to articles from the last five years and ensure that they were peer reviewed and scholarly. Combining a search with keywords such as “health disparities”, “racial”, “mental health”, and “equity”, I was able to access relevant and peer reviewed information.

Assessing Credibility and Relevance of Information Sources

By searching for articles that were scholarly, peer reviewed, and within the last five years, I was able to secure credible information. Furthermore, by checking the credentials of the authors, I was assured that the information acceptable among the health care community.

As it pertains to having relevant information, I made sure the articles had authoritative sources and accurate information. This was also seen through the use of factual information as opposed to uncited, opinion based information.

Annotated Bibliography

Alang, S. M. (2019). Mental health care among blacks in america: Confronting racism and constructing solutions. Health Services Research, 54(2), 346–355. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.13115

In this article, the authors explore reasons blacks do not receive mental health care they may need, factoring in racism, and possible solutions. For example, blacks are less likely to seek care and if they do, they receive a lower level of care. This article examines the topic from an individual level up to an organizational level. Through exploration of qualitative and quantitative data, the authors aim to explain why blacks have a higher rate of unmet need and how to reduce that. The article concludes that blacks should look to self-reflection and at an organizational level racism should be explored. Many elements play a role in both levels and must be confronted to implement better mental health care conditions for blacks.

Cook, B., Hou, S.-Y., Lee-Tauler, S., Progovac, A., Samson, F., & Sanchez, M. (2018). A review of mental health and mental health care disparities research: 2011-2014. Sage journals. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077558718780592

This article summarizes research related to the mental health differences and disparities among minority groups as compared to Whites, the root causes, and interventions for reduction of those disparities. Furthermore, the article mentions how blacks and Hispanics had an increase in mental health care disparities during the timeframe of the study. The authors used a set of criteria to categorize and sort the articles being researched. As a main criterion for the research, the articles reviewed were those funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Overall, the study concluded that the implementations being put forth by NIMH has widened the research into mental health care disparities, but the research needs to continue to determine significance and the effect to higher levels such as policy. I chose this article because it does give a positive outlook on the research and resolutions of disparities in mental health care. Still, it presents the issue and methods for improvement.

Dwanyen, L., Holtrop, K., & Parra‐Cardona, R. (2021). Reducing mental health disparities among racially and ethnically diverse populations: A review of couple and family intervention research methods (2010–2019). Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48(1), 346–365. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12573

In this article, the basis of the study revolves around the presence of minority groups in research studies as it pertains to mental health. The finding was that in the sample of articles reviewed, only a quarter of those were based on predominantly minority and underserved groups. The authors specify that blacks see “disparities in mental health outcomes and treatment access”, based on a number of factors. It goes on to conclude that these studies are overall lacking in diversity and provides a call to action to reduce disparities in this category of mental health. One mention of achieving that is by using methodologies that are culturally and ethnically sensitive. This article was chosen because it uses information from many reliable sources to show the issue and provides a feasible way to begin the process of reduction of mental health care disparities. Throughout the article it can be see