African American Community Interview Report

Words: 671
Pages: 3

themes, and ideas are also present with the African-American clients in the program I am working with.
Using these interview techniques allowed me to gain a greater insight into the African-American culture. It was very interesting allowing her to take me on the journey through just some small aspects of her cultural identity.
Findings
In talking with my key informant and listening to African-American clients in my field work setting, one of the themes that is often repeated is Spirituality and faith in God. This was an ongoing cover term used by her during my interview with her. She often mentioned her church community, and I asked her to explain to me what the community meant to her, and their importance in her cultural make up. She said, “My church
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I don’t make a big decision without first talking to my pastor.” This has been a common theme not only with my conversation with her, but also with the clients. She explained to me her main help seeking behaviors are praying, getting support form her fellow church members, and seeking advice and guidance from her pastor. She also explained how she finds comfort in attending church services a couple times a week, and how she is very active in her church community. In the group and individual sessions, I have observed, or facilitated since starting my internship, the American-American clients often discuss one of their main coping skills with helping them through substance abuse treatment, and carvings for substances is reading the Bible, going to church, or singing Gospel songs. The clients also explain how they must put their faith in a higher power to overcome their addictions. My informant explained to me during the interview that it is her faith in God that helps through the challenging times she has with raising her grandchild due to her daughter’s substance abuse issues. She stated, “I thank God everyday for helping me get through each day.” During the conversation I did take note