A rural African American faith community's solutions to depression disparities.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to explore how a rural African American faith community would address depression within their congregations and the community as a whole.


METHODS
A qualitative, interpretive descriptive methodology was used. The sample included 24 participants representing pastors, parishioners interested in health, and African American men who had experienced symptoms of depression in a community in the Arkansas Delta.


METHODS
The primary data sources for this qualitative research study were focus groups.


RESULTS
Participants identified three key players in the rural African American faith community who can combat depression: the Church, the Pastor/Clergy, and the Layperson. The roles of each were identified and recommendations for each to address depression disparities in rural African Americans.


CONCLUSIONS
The recommendations can be used to develop faith-based interventions for depression targeting the African American faith community.
College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Keneshia
K
Bryant
Tiffany
T
Haynes
Karen Hye-Cheon
KH
Kim Yeary
Nancy
N
Greer-Williams
Mary
M
Hartwig
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D001131:Arkansas; D002977:Clergy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003863:Depression / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012067:Religion; D012424:Rural Population; D055815:Young Adult
African Americans; depression; faith; health disparities