title: Recommendations for the use of online social support for African American men.
abstract: African American men face greater psychosocial stressors than African American women and men of other racial and ethnic groups, which place them at higher risk for psychological distress. Yet, research suggests that African Americans are less likely to utilize professional mental health services because of their mistrust of the health care system and their need for more specialized and innovative services. Supplemental resources aimed at positive coping and social support for African American men may reduce the likelihood that they experience psychological distress, which could lead to more severe mental disorders. This article proposes the use of online social support for African American men who are in early, nonsevere stages of psychological distress. We examine the unique experiences of African American men, discuss distress among this underserved group, and finally, offer recommendations for achieving an online community for African American men.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106, USA. daphnew@umich.edu
authors.forename: Daphne C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.forename: S Olivia
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Jefferson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States