scholarly journals Life Course Racism and Depressive Symptoms among Young Black Women

Author(s):  
Arbor J L Quist ◽  
Xiaoxia Han ◽  
Donna D Baird ◽  
Lauren A Wise ◽  
Ganesa Wegienka ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
pp. 009579842110212
Author(s):  
Martinque K. Jones ◽  
Tanisha G. Hill-Jarrett ◽  
Kyjeila Latimer ◽  
Akilah Reynolds ◽  
Nekya Garrett ◽  
...  

The Strong Black Woman (SBW) schema has been consistently linked to negative mental health outcomes among Black women. However, few have begun to explicate the mechanisms by which the endorsement of the SBW schema may influence mental health outcomes. Accordingly, the current study examined coping styles (social support, disengagement, spirituality, and problem-oriented/engagement) as mediators in the association between endorsement of the SBW schema and depressive symptoms in a sample of Black women. Data from 240 Black women ( Mage = 22.0, SD = 4.0 years) were collected assessing SBW schema endorsement, coping styles, and depressive symptoms. Parallel multiple mediation analysis was conducted using PROCESS Macro. Of the four coping styles examined, disengagement coping partially mediated the association between greater endorsement of the SBW schema and greater depressive symptoms. Study findings add depth to our understanding of the association between the SBW schema and mental health outcomes and lend themselves to research and clinical implications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (7-8_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10S-17S
Author(s):  
Chad Danyluck ◽  
Irene V. Blair ◽  
Spero M. Manson ◽  
Mark L. Laudenslager ◽  
Stacie L. Daugherty ◽  
...  

Objectives: To examine age differences in the association between discrimination and depressive symptoms among urban American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Methods: A sample of 303 urban AI/AN (18–78 years old) reported on lifetime and past-week experiences of racial discrimination and depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were regressed on racial discrimination, age, and their interaction, adjusting for demographic factors and other life stressors. Results: Lifetime and past-week discrimination were significantly associated with depressive symptoms, and these associations were stronger among younger than older adult AI/AN. Discussion: The results are consistent with prior reports in other populations, but this is the first such study to focus on AI/AN, and it highlights the importance of considering life course perspectives. Conclusions are limited by the cross-sectional nature of the data. Longitudinal and qualitative work is needed to understand why discrimination may have a stronger effect on mental health for younger than older AI/AN.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo-Ann Eastwood ◽  
Debra K Moser ◽  
Nabil Alshurafa ◽  
Lynn V Doering ◽  
Karol Watson ◽  
...  

Fifty thousand Black women, disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD), die annually; 49% of Black women ≥ 20 years have CVD. Implementing proactive risk reduction is essential. The purpose of this community - based pilot was to test the feasibility of a program combining self-care education with wireless individualized feedback via a unique smartphone designed to appeal specifically to young Black women (YBW). Methods: Using church-based recruitment, 49 YBW (aged 25-45 years, 60% single) were randomized to treatment (TX) and control groups by church site. The TX group participated in 4 interactive self-care classes on CVD risk reduction. Each participant set individualized goals. Risk factor profiles (waist circumference (WC), BP, lipid panel by Cholestech [Alere]), medical and reproductive history and a battery of psychosocial instruments were assessed prior to classes and 6 months later. Participants were given smartphones with embedded accelerometers and WANDA-CVD, an application that delivered prompts and messages specifically for this pilot. For activity monitoring, phones were worn on the hip during waking hours. Participants obtained and transmitted BP measurements wirelessly via the phone. Changes over time were measured with paired t-tests and linear regression controlling for age and weight. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s D. Results: In risk factor profiles, significant differences favoring the TX group occurred in DBP, WC, and TC/HDL ratio; similar changes in triglycerides yielded a medium-large effect size (Table). TX participants had greater drops in stress, anxiety, and better adherence to heart healthy habits. Conclusion: These interim pilot data validate the feasibility of a combined education/wireless monitoring-feedback program in YBW. Further testing in a large randomized trial is warranted to determine long-term effects on behavior change and cardiac risk profiles in this high risk population.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele N. D'Agata ◽  
Elissa K. Hoopes ◽  
Felicia R. Berube ◽  
Alexandra E. Hirt ◽  
Melissa A. Witman

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Ruining Sun ◽  
Jason N. Houle

In this paper, we contribute to a growing literature on debt and mental health and ask whether patterns of unsecured debt accumulation and repayment over two decades are associated with depressive symptoms at age 50. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1979 Cohort and group trajectory models, we have three key findings. First, we find substantial heterogeneity in debt trajectories across the life course. Second, respondents who report consistently high debt levels across the life course or who cycle in and out of high debt report significantly more depressive symptoms than respondents who hold consistently low levels of debt. These findings hold for both absolute and relative (debt-to-income) debt. Third, we find that the association between debt and depressive symptoms is strongest among respondents with less than a college degree, but we find less evidence for heterogeneity by race in this cohort.


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