From Hesitancy to Healing: Mental Health Discussions in Hair Care Settings as Pathways to Self-Care Among Black First-Year College Students

Abstract

The present study examined whether hesitancy to seek professional mental health services was associated with mental health discussion with hairstylists or barbers and whether these discussions were associated with various forms of self-care among Black first-year college students. Participants included 112 Black, 18-year-old first-year college students. Results indicated that greater hesitancy to seek professional mental health services was associated with more frequent mental health discussions with hairstylists or barbers. Additionally, more frequent discussions with hairstylists or barbers were associated with greater emotional, spiritual, and relational self-care, but were not associated with psychological or academic/workplace self-care. Together, these findings highlight the role of hair care settings as culturally relevant, informal community spaces that may support self-care among Black first-year college students who are hesitant to engage in formal mental health services.