Date
12-16-2025
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Tracy N. Baker
Keywords
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, African American women, mental health, healthcare, patient-centered care model, cultural competence framework
Disciplines
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Moore, Trulissa L., "The Invisible Struggle: Exploring the Experiences of African American Women Diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Their Interactions with Healthcare Providers" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7828.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7828
Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of African American women diagnosed with PCOS, focusing on their interactions with medical providers, perception of healthcare, and overall well-being. The cultural competence framework guided this study, and the patient-centered care model is a theory that operated within the broader cultural competence framework. The cultural competence framework and patient-centered care model took into consideration the systemic and individual issues that affect African American women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. This study examined the difficulties African American women diagnosed with PCOS faced in healthcare, as well as their mental and emotional health and well-being. It also examined the literature gaps and future research considerations.
