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Depressive symptoms and psychological distress among rural African Americans: The role of material hardship and self-rated health.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Despite experiencing conditions associated with higher risk for depression and psychological distress, the mental health of rural African Americans remains understudied. This brief report examines the association between sociodemographic characteristics, self-rated health, and material hardship, and depressive symptoms and psychological distress among rural African Americans. METHOD:Data are from the rural African American subsample (N?=?250) of the National Survey of American Life (NSAL; 2001-2003). The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler 6 (K6). Negative binominal regression analyses were performed. RESULTS:Rural African Americans reporting more material hardship and poorer self-rated physical health had higher levels of depressive symptoms and psychological distress compared to counterparts with less hardship and better self-rated health. Findings also suggest rural African American women had more depressive symptoms compared to male peers. Older rural African Americans and African Americans with fewer years of education had more symptoms of psychological distress than their respective counterparts. LIMITATIONS:Though the NSAL represents the only national probability survey on African Americans' mental health; the timeliness of the data, collected between 2001 and 2003 is a limitation. CONCLUSIONS:Material hardship and worse self-rated health emerged as risk factors for depression and psychological distress among this population. This suggests the need for systems of care and integrated healthcare models across service providers within rural African American communities to promote adequate screening, intervention, and referrals related to economic, physical, and mental health needs.

SUBMITTER: Weaver A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6473788 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Depressive symptoms and psychological distress among rural African Americans: The role of material hardship and self-rated health.

Weaver Addie A Taylor Robert Joseph RJ Chatters Linda M LM Himle Joseph A JA

Journal of affective disorders 20180428

<h4>Background</h4>Despite experiencing conditions associated with higher risk for depression and psychological distress, the mental health of rural African Americans remains understudied. This brief report examines the association between sociodemographic characteristics, self-rated health, and material hardship, and depressive symptoms and psychological distress among rural African Americans.<h4>Method</h4>Data are from the rural African American subsample (N = 250) of the National Survey of A ...[more]

PMID: 29747138

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Project description:AimsRural and remote regions tend to be characterised by poorer socioeconomic conditions than urban areas, yet findings regarding differences in mental health between rural and urban areas have been inconsistent. This suggests that other features of these areas may reduce the impact of hardship on mental health. Little research has explored the relationship of financial hardship or deprivation with mental health across geographical areas.MethodsData were analysed from a large longitudinal Australian study of the mental health of individuals living in regional and remote communities. Financial hardship was measured using items from previous Australian national population research, along with measures of psychological distress (Kessler-10), social networks/support and community characteristics/locality, including rurality/remoteness (inner regional; outer regional; remote/very remote). Multilevel logistic regression modelling was used to examine the relationship between hardship, locality and distress. Supplementary analysis was undertaken using Australian Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey data.Results2161 respondents from the Australian Rural Mental Health Study (1879 households) completed a baseline survey with 26% from remote or very remote regions. A significant association was detected between the number of hardship items and psychological distress in regional areas. Living in a remote location was associated with a lower number of hardships, lower risk of any hardship and lower risk of reporting three of the seven individual hardship items. Increasing hardship was associated with no change in distress for those living in remote areas. Respondents from remote areas were more likely to report seeking help from welfare organisations than regional residents. Findings were confirmed with sensitivity tests, including replication with HILDA data, the use of alternative measures of socioeconomic circumstances and the application of different analytic methods.ConclusionsUsing a conventional and nationally used measure of financial hardship, people residing in the most remote regions reported fewer hardships than other rural residents. In contrast to other rural residents, and national population data, there was no association between such hardship and mental health among residents in remote areas. The findings suggest the need to reconsider the experience of financial hardship across localities and possible protective factors within remote regions that may mitigate the psychological impact of such hardship.

Project description:Purpose:Diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S) is an effective strategy to improve health outcomes. However, little is known about the impact of formal DSME/S on psychological distress among minority populations. The study purposes were to 1) explore the impact of a culturally tailored DSME/S intervention on psychological distress and diabetes-related outcomes among African-American and Hispanic/Latino participants and 2) examine differences across groups in self-care, self-efficacy, diabetes knowledge, and psychological distress. Methods:Using a pre- and post-test research design, baseline and post-test assessments were conducted at weeks 1 and 7 of the intervention, respectively. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics for demographic variables and four outcomes (self-care, self-efficacy, knowledge, and psychological distress score), general linear regression analysis of the post-test outcomes, and the Spearman correlation between psychological distress score and the outcomes. Results:Compared to African-American participants (n = 122), Hispanic/Latino participants (n = 137) were significantly younger and less educated. The two groups were comparable in sex, income, and health status. Significant pre- to post-test improvements were seen in each group for self-care, self-efficacy, and psychological distress. Diabetes knowledge had moderate improvement. Hispanics/Latinos had significantly greater post-test self-efficacy and self-care scores compared to African Americans. For both African-American and Hispanic/Latino participants, lower psychological distress scores were generally associated with greater self-efficacy and self-care. Psychological distress scores were not significantly associated with knowledge in African-Amerian or Hispanic/Latino participants. For African Americans only, better health status was significantly associated with less psychological distress. Conclusion:DSME/S programs have the potential to improve psychological health among African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos, which can lead to better diabetes outcomes.

Dataset Information

Depressive symptoms and psychological distress among rural African Americans: The role of material hardship and self-rated health.

Publications

Depressive symptoms and psychological distress among rural African Americans: The role of material hardship and self-rated health.

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