Feeling "In Control" Tied To Lower Risk Of Depression Among African American Men

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Academic Journal
Main Category: Depression
Also Included In: Men's health;  Mental Health;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 31 May 2011 - 2:00 PDT


African American men who feel "in control" of their lives are less likely to suffer from depressive symptoms, according to a study published recently in the journal Research on Social Work Practice.

Research shows that having a sense of control over one's life, a concept also known as "perceived mastery", is tied to better mental health. In surveys this is covered by items like "sometimes I feel that I'm being pushed around in life" or "I can do just about anything I really set my mind to", with responses ranging from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree".

The researchers said African American men experience more inequality of income and job prospects, leading to more exposure to racism and discrimination. Together with a feeling of less control over one's life, this can result in poorer mental health for African American men.

For this study, lead author Daphne Watkins, assistant professor of social work at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA, and colleagues examined the influence of discrimination and mastery on depressive symptoms in 1,271 African American men who took part in the National Survey of American Life (NSAL).

They analyzed the survey data in age groups: young (18 to 34), middle (35 to 54) and late adulthood (55 and older).

The men were asked about their everyday experiences of discrimination, with responses including "people act as if they think you are dishonest" and "you are followed around in stores".

The researchers found that across all age groups, a sense of mastery was an important predictor of positive mental health and protected the men from depressive symptoms.

However, in the age group 35 to 54, discrimination was significantly associated to depressive symptoms, and that:

"Compared to African American men in the young and late adult groups, discrimination remained a statistically significant predictor of depressive symptoms for men in the middle group once mastery was included."

The researchers said when African American men reach middle adulthood, they are more likely to meet discrimination at work and in social settings, and this affects their mental health.

Participants aged 55 and older reported less discrimination, less mastery and fewer depressive symptoms than the other age groups. The researchers took this to mean that although older African American men experience less discrimination and depression, they don't benefit from having a sense of mastery to the same extent as their younger counterparts.

They said their findings show there is a distinct difference in how discrimination affects depressive symptoms in African American men and called for more research to look at this in more detail across all age groups.

They also called for a greater focus on prevention in early adult life, as well as intervention at all life stages.

Watkins said if they get help in the form of early prevention and successful intervention when they are young, adults can overcome social and emotional obstacles later in life.

"Discrimination, Mastery, and Depressive Symptoms Among African American Men."
Daphne C. Watkins, Darrell L. Hudson, Cleopatra Howard Caldwell, Kristine Siefert, and James S. Jackson
Research on Social Work Practice, May 2011; vol. 21, 3: pp. 269-277

Additional source: University of Michigan.

Written by: Catharine Paddock, PhD
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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