title: Serious Psychological Distress Among African Americans: Findings from the National Survey of American Life.
abstract: Despite their low social standing, there remains a paucity of research on psychological distress among African Americans. We use data from the 2001-2003 National Survey of American Life to explore a wide array of social and economic predictors of psychological distress among African American adults ages 18 and older, including previous incarceration, history of welfare receipt, and having a family member who is either currently incarcerated or homeless. Younger age, lower income, lower educational attainment, and lower self-rated health and childhood health are associated with higher levels of psychological distress among African Americans. We also find a strong association between higher levels of material hardship, previous incarceration history, and the presence of a family member who is either incarcerated or homeless and higher levels of psychological distress. The findings highlight the importance of considering unique types of social disadvantage experienced by African Americans living in a highly stratified society.
authors: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, dawne.mouzon@rutgers.edu ; (848) 932-2969.
authors: Dawne M
authors: DM
authors: Mouzon
authors: University of Michigan, School of Social Work, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
authors: Robert Joseph
authors: RJ
authors: Taylor
authors: Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089.
authors: Ann W
authors: AW
authors: Nguyen
authors: University of Michigan, School of Social Work, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
authors: Linda M
authors: LM
authors: Chatters
keywords: African Americans; Blacks; mental health; psychological distress; race