title: Challenges to traditional clinical definitions of depression in young black men.
abstract: Despite high rates of unemployment, incarceration, violence, and suicide experienced by young Black men in America, research conducted in inner-city environments consistently report nonsignificant levels of depression among Black men. The unique history of social exclusion, stereotyping, and discrimination experienced by Black men has significant implications for the accurate assessment of depression. A review of significant historical and current sociological, educational, and legal-justice circumstances that affect the mental health of young Black men is presented. Barriers and limitations to traditional depression assessment and measurement is discussed and followed by recommendations for advancing knowledge of depression in young Black men. Research and practice that seeks to explore and explain sociocultural variances in traditional definitions of depression among young Black men will improve mental health, mental health outreach, and social function in this population.
authors.affiliation: 1University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Danielle E K
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Perkins
mesh_terms: D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult; D001741:Black or African American
keywords: Black men; depression; inner city; young