Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Major
Education, Counseling
Date of Defense
4-16-2026
Graduate Advisor
Emily Brown
Committee
Emily Brown
Mary Edwin
Phil Waalkes
Janelle Jones
Abstract
People of African descent living in the U.S. face significant disparities in mental health outcomes and access to care, due to systemic inequities, historical traumatic experience, and limited representation in counseling research. This dissertation addresses a vital and understudied intersection of race, aging, and mental health by exploring family history knowledge as a culturally embedded resource shaping identity, relational meaning-making, and well-being in later life. Using the Biopsychosocial model and Relational-Cultural Theory, two qualitative studies examined the lived experiences of older Black and African American adults. Findings revealed the role of spirituality, intergenerational narratives, and sense of belonging in fostering well-being. Relational images rooted in familial history narratives shaped expectations of care, reciprocity, and belonging. This study advances counseling scholarship by centering strengths-based, culturally grounded understandings of aging for people of African descent. Implications include integrating family history into therapeutic practice, enhancing culturally responsive care, and strengthening counselor training. Future research should further examine relational processes and develop innovative interventions to support well-being in later adulthood.
Recommended Citation
Angieri, Nichole, "Stories of our Ancestors: Exploring Perceptions and Experiences of Family History Knowledge and its Impact on the Mental Health of Older Black Adults" (2026). Dissertations. 1578.
https://irl.umsl.edu/dissertation/1578