title: Social support from church and family members and depressive symptoms among older African Americans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the influence of church- and family-based social support on depressive symptoms and serious psychological distress among older African Americans.
  
  
  METHODS
  The analysis is based on the National Survey of American Life. Church- and family-based informal social support correlates of depressive symptoms (CES-D) and serious psychological distress (K6) were examined. Data from 686 African Americans aged 55 years or older who attend religious services at least a few times a year are used in this analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multivariate analysis found that social support from church members was significantly and inversely associated with depressive symptoms and psychological distress. Frequency of negative interactions with church members was positively associated with depressive symptoms and psychological distress. Social support from church members remained significant but negative interaction from church members did not remain significant when controlling for indicators of family social support. Among this sample of churchgoers, emotional support from family was a protective factor and negative interaction with family was a risk factor for depressive symptoms and psychological distress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first investigation of the relationship between church- and family-based social support and depressive symptoms and psychological distress among a national sample of older African Americans. Overall, the findings indicate that social support from church networks was protective against depressive symptoms and psychological distress. This finding remained significant when controlling for indicators of family social support.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Program for Research on Black Americans, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. Electronic address: chatters@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Chatters
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Program for Research on Black Americans, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Robert Joseph
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
authors.forename: Amanda Toler
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Woodward
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Emily J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Nicklett
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Depression; congregation support; extended family; religion