African Americans, Caribbean Blacks and Depression

Which Biopsychosocial Factors Should Social Workers Focus On? Results from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL)

Bibliographic Data

ID8908018
AuthorsMichael A Robinson (0000-0003-2350-3199, University of Georgia, corresponding author), Irang Kim (0000-0001-8084-3259, Tulane University), Orion Mowbray (0000-0002-9029-9602, University of Georgia), Lindsey Disney (0000-0001-6611-7437, University at Albany, State University of New York)
Year2021
Volume58
Issue2
Pages366-375
Publication date2021-05-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCommunity Mental Health Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0010-3853 • E-ISSN: 1573-2789
PublisherSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s10597-021-00833-6
PMID33963456
OpenAlexW3157857218
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited65

Research suggests that African Americans may be more likely to experience depression, especially severe depression, than other racial or ethnic groups in the United States. Overall there is scant research comparing the relationship between ethnicity and depression among the U.S. Black population. The purpose of this study is to identify the most significant biopsychosocial factors social workers can address in the prevention and treatment of depression in African American and first generations Caribbean Black clients. Data was from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL). Bivariate associations showed that respondents who reported higher self-esteem, lower hopelessness, higher sense of mastery, and lower discrimination showed lower likelihood of having Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The logistic regression model suggested that respondents who have ever had a chronic disease were more likely to report depression than those who have not ever had a chronic disease. Caribbean Blacks were more likely to report depression compared to African Americans. Additionally, respondents who reported higher discrimination scores were more likely to report depression. This study suggests that social workers should embrace the interconnectedness and holistic approach of the biopsychosocial model in their case conceptualizations, prevention strategies, and treatment modalities

Biopsychosocial model · Depression (economics · Environmental health · Ethnic group · Population · Psychiatry · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology · Racial and Ethnic Identity Research · Gerontology