The article “Social Determinants of Health and Depression among African American Adults: A Scoping Review of Current Research” examines the current research on the relationship between social determinants of health and depression among African American adults (Yelton et al., 2022). The authors used a scoping review methodology to identify and analyze studies that met the following inclusion criteria: focus on social determinants of health and depression among African American adults, use a quantitative methodology and be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
A total of 31 studies were included in the review. Most of the studies were cross-sectional, followed by longitudinal and case-control designs. The most commonly studied social determinants of health were income, education, and employment. Most studies used the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to operationalize depression (Yelton et al., 2022). In contrast, the remainder used the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), or the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS).
The review’s findings indicated that income was consistently associated with depression among African American adults, with lower income associated with greater odds of depression. Education was associated with depression, although the direction of the relationship varied across studies. Employment was inconsistently associated with depression, with some studies finding that unemployment was associated with greater odds of depression while others found no significant association (Yelton et al., 2022). Other social determinants of health studied, such as housing, social support, and neighborhood characteristics were inconsistently associated with depression.
There is a growing body of research on the social determinants of health and depression among African American adults. Cultural factors can play a significant role in the mental health of African American adults (Yelton et al., 2022). For example, African Americans are more prone to suffer from depression symptoms if they believe that their race is a hindrance to their achievement, as has been demonstrated via scientific research. Depressive symptoms are more common in African Americans who closely connect with their racial group.
Social factors can contribute to depression among African American adults. Poverty has been linked to a higher rate of depressive symptoms in African Americans than those who do not live in poverty (Yelton et al., 2022). African Americans who experience discrimination or have a history of violence are more likely to experience depression. Political factors can influence the mental health of African American adults (Yelton et al., 2022). For example, research has shown that African Americans who live in states with high levels of political conservatism are more likely to experience depressive symptoms. African Americans who live in states with high levels of political violence are more likely to experience depression.
Culturally contingent perceptions of psychopathology can have a significant impact on the mental health of African American adults. For example, research has shown that African Americans who perceive mental illness as a sign of weakness are more likely to experience depressive symptoms. African Americans who believe that mental illness is a sign of personal failings are more likely to experience depression. Conceptions of what it means to be mentally healthy can influence the mental health of African American adults (Yelton et al., 2022). For example, research has shown that African Americans who believe mental health is a matter of personal responsibility are more likely to experience depressive symptoms.
African Americans who believe mental health is a matter of individual choice are more likely to experience depression (Yelton et al., 2022). Culture-specific syndromes can play a role in the mental health of African American adults. For example, research has shown that African Americans who experience post-traumatic stress disorder are more likely to experience depressive symptoms. African Americans who experience anxiety disorders are more likely to experience depression.
Voices Unheard: An Intersectional Approach to Understanding Depression among Middle-Class Black Women
The study, “Voices Unheard: An Intersectional Approach to Understanding Depression among Middle-Class Black Women”, used a qualitative methodology to understand depression among black women. The research used a focus group design and interviewed middle-class black women between 18 and 65 (Walton & Boone, 2019). The study found that depression among black women results from various factors, including race, class, and gender. The study discovered that middle-class black women experience depression differently than other groups of women. They are more likely to experience “masked depression” when they do not outwardly show signs of depression but internalize their feelings, resulting from the pressure to succeed and be firm on black women.
In addition, middle-class black women are more likely to experience “double consciousness” when they feel they have to exist in two different worlds. In one world, these women are black women, and in the other, they are middle-class women leading to a sense of isolation and feeling like they do not belong in either world. The research shows that middle-class black women are more likely to experience “triple consciousness” when they feel like they have to exist in three different worlds. In one world, these women are black; in another, they are middle-class women; in the Third World, they are women, which can lead to a sense of isolation and feeling like they do not belong in any of the worlds (Walton & Boone, 2019). The authors discovered that middle-class black women are more likely to experience ‘intersectional invisibility’ when they feel like their experiences are not seen or heard because they are often invisible in the mainstream media.
The authors note that there is a lack of understanding of the mental health needs of black women, which can lead to them being undertreated or misdiagnosed. They suggest that an intersectional approach, which considers the multiple dimensions of identity, is needed to understand black women’s mental health needs better. The authors note that several cultural, social, and political factors can impact the mental health of black women (Walton & Boone, 2019). For example, they note that racism and sexism can make black women feel devalued and invisible. In addition, they note that black women are often expected to be strong and stoic, which can lead to them feeling like they have to suppress their emotions.
Structural Power, Systemic Poverty, and Entrenchment among African American Males
The article “Structural Power, Systemic Poverty, and Entrenchment among African American Males” examine structural power’s role in perpetuating systemic poverty and entrenchment among African American males. The authors use a qualitative methodology to analyze interviews with African American males living in poverty in the United States. They find that structural power plays a significant role in perpetuating poverty and that African American males experience a unique form of entrenchment that other groups do not experience.
The authors use a qualitative methodology to analyze interviews with African American males living in poverty in the United States. They spoke with a total of twenty-five different participants through interviews. The participants were recruited through purposive sampling and were chosen because they were all African American males living in poverty (Granderson, 2022). The authors used semi-structured interviews to collect data from the participants. The study’s findings showed that structural power plays a significant role in perpetuating poverty and entrenchment among African American males. The participants spoke about how structural power works to keep them in poverty. They spoke about how African American males experience a unique form of entrenchment that other groups do not experience.
There is a long history in the United States of cultural, social, and political attitudes impacting the diagnosis of marginalized groups and the general characterization of minority communities (Diller, 2018). These sentiments can be found in the portrayal of African American males that has appeared in the media and in research studies. Historically, African American men have a reputation for being hostile, violent, and lawbreakers. This portrayal has led to several mental health issues for African American males, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Culturally contingent perceptions of psychopathology, conceptions of what it means to be mentally healthy, and culture-specific syndromes can all play a role in the mental health issues experienced by African American males. For example, how African American males are often portrayed in the media can make them feel like they have to meet a certain standard to be considered mentally healthy, leading to stress and anxiety. Additionally, African American males may not have access to mental health resources to help them deal with their mental health issues which can further exacerbate their mental health issues.
The authors note that African American males are more likely to be diagnosed with mental illness due to cultural, social, and political factors. They argue that African American males are more likely to be diagnosed with mental illness because they are more likely to be exposed to stressors such as poverty, violence, and racism (Granderson, 2022). They argue that African American males are more likely to be diagnosed with mental illness because they are more likely to be treated by clinicians with stereotypes and biases about African Americans.
References
Diller, J. V. (2018). Cultural diversity: A primer for the human services. Cengage Learning.
Granderson, K. (2022). Structural Power, Systemic Poverty, and Entrenchment among African American Males. Advances in Religious and Cultural Studies, 200-223.
Walton, Q., & Boone, C. (2019). Voices Unheard: An Intersectional Approach to Understanding Depression among Middle-Class Black Women. Women Therapy, 42(3-4), 301-319.
Yelton, B., Friedman, D., Noblet, S., Lohman, M., Arent, M., Macauda, M, Sakhuja, M., & Leith, K. (2022). Social Determinants of Health and Depression among African American Adults: A Scoping Review of Current Research. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1498.