Spirituality and religious coping in AfricanAmerican youth with depressive illness Authors
Abstract The research team completed a secondary data analysis of primary data from a 2-phase depression treatment engagement behavioural trial to assess African-American adolescents’ reported experiences of spiritual and religious coping when dealing with depression. The team utilised data collected from 28 youth who participated in focus groups or individual interviews. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic techniques for transcript-based analysis to identify the key patterns and elements of the study participants’ accounts and to extract six primary themes. The main themes are reported in this manuscript and include; “Religion as Treatment Incentive”, “Prayer & Agency”, “Mixed Emotions”, “Doesn't Hurt, Might Help”, “Finding Support in the Church”, and “Prayer and Church: Barriers to Treatment?” Overall, the data suggested that religion and spirituality play a key role in African-American adolescents’ experiences of depression. As well, it is surmised that these factors may be important for improving treatment-seeking behaviours and reducing racial mental health disparities in this population of youth. Keywords: religion, spirituality, African-American youth, treatment engagement, health disparities, adolescent depression,
Article Link: https://www.researchgate.net/deref/http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1080%2F13674676.2015.1056120
Screening for Depression in African-American Churches Authors
Abstract Substantial racial/ethnic disparities exist in the identification and management of major depression. Faith-Based Health Promotion interventions reduce disparities in health screenings for numerous medical conditions. However, the feasibility of systematically screening for depression in faith-based settings has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using a validated instrument to screen for depression in African-American churches. Participants were recruited between October and November 2012 at three predominantly African-American churches in New York City. A participatory research approach was used to determine screening days. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was administered to 122 participants. Positive depression screen was defined as a PHQ-9 score ≼10. Descriptive statistics were used to report sample characteristics, prevalence of participants who screened positive, and history of help seeking. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association of positive depression screen and sociodemographic characteristics. Initial analyses were conducted in 2013, with additional analyses in 2014. The prevalence estimate for positive depression screen was 19.7%. More men (22.5%) screened positive than women (17.7%). Total household income was inversely related to positive depression screen. A similar percentage of respondents had previously sought help from primary care providers as from clergy. It was feasible to screen for depression with the PHQ-9 in African-American churches. The prevalence of positive depression screen was high, especially among black men. Churches may be an important setting in which to identify depressive symptoms in this underserved population. Copyright Š 2015 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Article Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280613719_Screening_for_Depression_in_AfricanAmerican_Churches
Religiosity and Mental Health Service Utilization Among African-Americans Authors
Abstract African-Americans are approximately half as likely as their white counterparts to use professional mental health services. High levels of religiosity among African-Americans may lend to a greater reliance on religious counseling and coping when facing a mental health problem. This study investigates the relationship between three dimensions of religiosity and professional mental health service utilization among a large (n = 3570), nationally representative sample of African-American adults. African-American adults who reported high levels of organizational and subjective religiosity were less likely than those with lower levels of religiosity to use professional mental health services. This inverse relationship was generally consistent across individuals with and without a diagnosable Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, anxiety, mood, or substance use disorder. No association was found between nonorganizational religiosity and professional mental health service use. Seeking professional mental health care may clash with sociocultural religious norms and values among African-Americans. Strategic efforts should be made to engage AfricanAmerican clergy and religious communities in the conceptualization and delivery of mental health services.
Article Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280124843_Religiosity_and_Mental_Health_Service_Utiliza tion_Among_African-Americans