Attitudes of black adults toward community mental health centers.

The attitudes of 411 black adults toward community mental health centers (CMHCs) and their relationship to seven demographic and sociocultural characteristics were assessed. Fewer than 20 percent of subjects had negative attitudes toward CMHCs, about 34 percent had positive attitudes, and about 47 percent had neutral attitudes. Female gender, married status, and a high level of racial consciousness were associated with more positive attitudes toward CMHCs but explained only about 11 percent of the variation in attitudes. The author suggests that mental health clinicians and service planners become more knowledgeable about the attitudes and values of all segments of the black community.