Major Depressive Disorder Among Older African Americans, Caribbean Blacks, And Non‐Hispanic Whites: Secondary Analysis Of The National Survey Of American Life

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/98298/1/da22041.pd

Relationship of social and economic factors to mental disorders among population-based samples of Jamaicans and Guyanese

BACKGROUND: There have been growing concerns about increasing mental health problems in the Caribbean region. This study explores rates and factors associated with selected mental health disorders within 2 Caribbean countries: Jamaica and Guyana. METHODS: Probability samples of 1218 Jamaicans and 2068 Guyanese participants were used. A modified version of the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WHO CIDI) defined by the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) was administered in order to assess lifetime mental disorders. Descriptive statistics, χ(2) and hierarchical regression analytic procedures were used to examine rates and factors associated with mental disorders. RESULTS: Rates of mental health conditions were different across contexts and were generally higher for Guyanese compared with Jamaicans for alcohol abuse (3.6% vs 2.2%), drug abuse (1.4% vs 1.3%), substance abuse (4.7% vs 2.7%) and mania (0.4% vs 0.1%). The rate of depression, however, was higher among Jamaicans than Guyanese (7.4% vs 4.1%). There were also noticeable differences in rates in both countries, due to social and economic factors, with social factors playing a larger contributory role in the mental health status of individuals across countries. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest the need for more indepth analyses of factors contributing to mental health conditions of peoples within the Caribbean region, including the influence of additional sources of stress, quality of care and help-seeking behaviours of individuals

Substance Use, Mental Disorders and Physical Health of Caribbeans at-Home Compared to Those Residing in the United States

This study compares the health conditions of domestic Caribbeans with those living in the United States to explore how national context and migration experiences might influence substance use (i.e., alcohol or drug) and other mental and physical health conditions. The study is based upon probability samples of non-institutionalized Caribbeans living in the United States (1621), Jamaica (1216) and Guyana (2068) 18 years of age and over. Employing descriptive statistics and multivariate analytic procedures, the results revealed that substance use and other physical health conditions and major depressive disorder and mania vary by national context, with higher rates among Caribbeans living in the United States. Context and generation status influenced health outcomes. Among first generation black Caribbeans, residing in the United States for a longer length of time is linked to poorer health outcomes. There were different socio-demographic correlates of health among at-home and abroad Caribbeans. The results of this study support the need for additional research to explain how national context, migratory experiences and generation status contribute to understanding substance use and mental disorders and physical health outcomes among Caribbean first generation and descendants within the United States, compared to those remaining in the Caribbean region

Perceptions and receptivity of nonspousal family support: A mixed methods study of psychological distress among older, church-going African American men

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of non-spousal family support on mental health among older, church-going African American men. The mixed methods objective was to employ a design that used existing qualitative and quantitative data to explore the interpretive context within which social and cultural experiences occur. Qualitative data (n=21) were used to build a conceptual model that was tested using quantitative data (n= 401). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an inverse association between non-spousal family support and distress. The comparative fit index, Tucker-Lewis fit index, and root mean square error of approximation indicated good model fit. This study offers unique methodological approaches to using existing, complementary data sources to understand the health of African American men.Program for Positive Aging in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of MichiganNational Institutes of Health (5P30 AG015281)Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research, University of MichiganPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163977/1/Watkins et al_Perceptions and Receptivity of Nonspousal Family Support A Mixed Methods Study of Psychological Distress Among Older Church-Going African American Men.pdfDescription of Watkins et al_Perceptions and Receptivity of Nonspousal Family Support A Mixed Methods Study of Psychological Distress Among Older Church-Going African American Men.pdf : Main articl

Financial Literacy Survey Instrument

The survey content was based on a review of the literature and included a financial literacy assessment portion that was adapted from the validated Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Financial Literacy Quiz. To quantify debt burden, students estimated anticipated education-related debt in 1 of 4 categories: no debt, $1–99,999;$100,000–$199,999; and$200,000 or more. Financial stress was assessed with the question “Do you worry about your current financial status?”, with three possible responses: “not concerned”, “somewhat concerned”, and “very concerned”. The racial and ethnic populations considered “underrepresented in medicine” (URiM) were based on the definition used by the AAMC: “those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population.” The options included in this survey were American Indian or Alaskan Native, Black or African American, Latino, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/170931/1/Financial Literacy Survey Instrument.docx-1SEL

Perceptions And Receptivity Of Nonspousal Family Support: A Mixed Methods Study Of Psychological Distress Among Older, Church-Going African American Men

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of nonspousal family support on mental health among older, church-going African American men. The mixed methods objective was to employ a design that used existing qualitative and quantitative data to explore the interpretive context within which social and cultural experiences occur. Qualitative data (n = 21) were used to build a conceptual model that was tested using quantitative data (n = 401). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an inverse association between nonspousal family support and distress. The comparative fit index, Tucker–Lewis fit index, and root mean square error of approximation indicated good model fit. This study offers unique methodological approaches to using existing, complementary data sources to understand the health of African American men

Severe Physical Violence and Black Women’s Health and Well-Being

Objectives. We evaluated the association between intimate partner violence and the mental and physical health status of US Caribbean Black and African American women. Methods. We used 2001 to 2003 cross-sectional data from the National Survey of American Life—the most detailed study to date of physical and mental health disorders of Americans of African descent. We assessed participants’ health conditions by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (Washington, DC; American Psychological Association) Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Results. We found differences in health conditions between abused African American and Caribbean Black women. There were increased risks for lifetime dysthymia, alcohol dependence, drug abuse, and poor perceived health for African American victims of partner abuse, and binge eating disorder was associated with partner violence among Caribbean Black women. Conclusions. Severe intimate partner violence was associated with negative mental and physical health outcomes for US Black women, with different patterns between African American and Caribbean Blacks. Understanding intimate partner violence experiences of US Black women requires recognition of key intragroup differences, including nativity and immigrant status, and their differential relationships to women’s health

Relationship of social and economic factors to mental disorders among population-based samples of Jamaicans and Guyanese

BACKGROUND: There have been growing concerns about increasing mental health problems in the Caribbean region. This study explores rates and factors associated with selected mental health disorders within 2 Caribbean countries: Jamaica and Guyana. METHODS: Probability samples of 1218 Jamaicans and 2068 Guyanese participants were used. A modified version of the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WHO CIDI) defined by the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) was administered in order to assess lifetime mental disorders. Descriptive statistics, χ(2) and hierarchical regression analytic procedures were used to examine rates and factors associated with mental disorders. RESULTS: Rates of mental health conditions were different across contexts and were generally higher for Guyanese compared with Jamaicans for alcohol abuse (3.6% vs 2.2%), drug abuse (1.4% vs 1.3%), substance abuse (4.7% vs 2.7%) and mania (0.4% vs 0.1%). The rate of depression, however, was higher among Jamaicans than Guyanese (7.4% vs 4.1%). There were also noticeable differences in rates in both countries, due to social and economic factors, with social factors playing a larger contributory role in the mental health status of individuals across countries. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest the need for more indepth analyses of factors contributing to mental health conditions of peoples within the Caribbean region, including the influence of additional sources of stress, quality of care and help-seeking behaviours of individuals