title: Discrimination, arrest history, and major depressive disorder in the U.S. Black population.
abstract: Everyday discrimination contributes negatively to depressive symptomatology among Blacks in the US and being arrested could add to this depression. Using data from the National Survey on American Life, the present study determined the association between an arrest history and major depressive disorder (MDD), while accounting for discrimination among African Americans, US-born Afro-Caribbeans and first-generation Black immigrants. Findings from logistic regression analyses adjusted for discrimination suggested an arrest history is associated with 12-month MDD (Adjusted OR=1.47; 95% CI=1.02-2.10) and lifetime MDD (Adjusted OR=1.56 CI=1.17-2.09). Accounting for drug and alcohol dependence attenuated the association between arrest history and 12-month MDD, but not lifetime MDD. The associations between arrest history and both 12-month and lifetime MDD, and discrimination and lifetime MDD varied by ethnic/immigrant group. Specifically, while the association between arrest history and MDD (both 12-month and lifetime) was strongest among US-born Afro-Caribbeans, evidence consistent with the immigrant paradox, the association between discrimination and lifetime MDD was particularly relevant for first-generation Black immigrants, suggesting discrimination may hinder the protection of first-generation status. Mental health prevention and treatment programs should target the stress associated with being arrested and experiencing discrimination among US Blacks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The City College of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA; The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Deidre M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Anglin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The City College of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Quenesha
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Lighty
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Lawrence H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Antioch University Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greenspoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The City College of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA; Teacher׳s College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Rashun J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.affiliation: The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Tzachi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Slonim
authors.affiliation: The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Isaac
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Monique J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: African American; Afro-Caribbean; Arrest; Depressive symptoms; Everyday discrimination