Extended Family and Friendship Support Networks Are Both Protective and Risk Factors for Major Depressive Disorder and Depressive Symptoms Among African-Americans and Black Caribbeans

Overview

Journal J Nerv Ment Dis

Specialties Neurology
Psychiatry

Date 2015 Jan 17

PMID 25594791

Citations 42

Authors

Robert Joseph Taylor

David H Chae

Karen D Lincoln

Linda M Chatters

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This study explores relationships between lifetime and 12-month Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) major depressive disorder (MDD), depressive symptoms, and involvement with family and friends within a national sample of African-American and Black Caribbean adults (n = 5191). MDD was assessed using the DSM-IV World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression subscale and the K6. Findings indicated that among both populations, close supportive ties with family members and friends are associated with lower rates of depression and MDD. For African-Americans, closeness to family members was important for both 12-month and lifetime MDD, and both family and friend closeness were important for depressive symptoms. For Caribbean Blacks, family closeness had more limited associations with outcomes and was directly associated with psychological distress only. Negative interactions with family (conflict, criticisms), however, were associated with higher MDD and depressive symptoms among both African-Americans and Black Caribbeans.

Citing Articles

The Moderating Role of Educational Attainment in the Association between Social Support and Depressive Symptoms among African Americans.

Frierson W, Erving C Sociol Focus. 2025; 58(1):51-77.

PMID: 39759394 PMC: 11694713. DOI: 10.1080/00380237.2024.2431218.

Victimization experiences, internalizing problems and family bonds among adolescents from the UK: multi-group structural equation modeling using an intersectionality-informed approach.

Birnkammer S, Booker C, Calvano C Sci Rep. 2024; 14(1):28753.

PMID: 39567713 PMC: 11579348. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-80342-0.

Friendship Social Support Networks of African Americans.

Taylor R, Chatters L, Nguyen A, Taylor H, Tsuchiya K, Ochoa A Sociol Focus. 2024; 57(4):493-503.

PMID: 39399691 PMC: 11465831. DOI: 10.1080/00380237.2024.2391042.

Age at separation, residential mobility, and depressive symptoms among twins in late adolescence and young adulthood: a FinnTwin12 cohort study.

Wang Z, Whipp A, Heinonen-Guzejev M, Kaprio J BMC Public Health. 2024; 24(1):2239.

PMID: 39153992 PMC: 11330072. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19734-w.

A longitudinal examination of how mothers' and fathers' mental health and thoughts of death are related to their child's self-reported levels of parental connectedness.

De Luca S, Yueqi Y, Padilla Y Child Youth Serv Rev. 2024; 79:235-241.

PMID: 38826588 PMC: 11142469. DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.06.025.

References

Cohen S, Wills T . Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychol Bull. 1985; 98(2):310-57. View

Demyttenaere K, Bruffaerts R, Posada-Villa J, Gasquet I, Kovess V, Lepine J . Prevalence, severity, and unmet need for treatment of mental disorders in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys. JAMA. 2004; 291(21):2581-90. DOI: 10.1001/jama.291.21.2581. View

Brummett B, Siegler I, Williams R, Dilworth-Anderson P . Associations of Social Support and 8-Year Follow-Up Depressive Symptoms: Differences in African American and White Caregivers. Clin Gerontol. 2012; 35(4):289-302. PMC: 3491574. DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2012.678569. View

Waldinger R, Vaillant G, Orav E . Childhood sibling relationships as a predictor of major depression in adulthood: a 30-year prospective study. Am J Psychiatry. 2007; 164(6):949-54. DOI: 10.1176/ajp.2007.164.6.949. View

Seeman T, Chen X . Risk and protective factors for physical functioning in older adults with and without chronic conditions: MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2002; 57(3):S135-44. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/57.3.s135. View

Brown S, Mason C, Spokane A, Cruza-Guet M, Lopez B, Szapocznik J . The relationship of neighborhood climate to perceived social support and mental health in older Hispanic immigrants in Miami, Florida. J Aging Health. 2009; 21(3):431-59. PMC: 2933404. DOI: 10.1177/0898264308328976. View

Lincoln K, Chatters L, Taylor R, Jackson J . Profiles of depressive symptoms among African Americans and Caribbean Blacks. Soc Sci Med. 2007; 65(2):200-13. PMC: 2025697. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.02.038. View

Travis L, Lyness J, Shields C, King D, Cox C . Social support, depression, and functional disability in older adult primary-care patients. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2004; 12(3):265-71. View

Liang J, Krause N, Bennett J . Social exchange and well-being: is giving better than receiving?. Psychol Aging. 2001; 16(3):511-23. DOI: 10.1037//0882-7974.16.3.511. View

10.

Peirce R, Frone M, Russell M, Cooper M, Mudar P . A longitudinal model of social contact, social support, depression, and alcohol use. Health Psychol. 2000; 19(1):28-38. DOI: 10.1037//0278-6133.19.1.28. View

11.

Jackson J, Torres M, Caldwell C, Neighbors H, Nesse R, Taylor R . The National Survey of American Life: a study of racial, ethnic and cultural influences on mental disorders and mental health. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2005; 13(4):196-207. PMC: 6878295. DOI: 10.1002/mpr.177. View

12.

Thomas P . Is it better to give or to receive? Social support and the well-being of older adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2009; 65B(3):351-7. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbp113. View

13.

Seguin L, Potvin L, Loiselle J . Chronic stressors, social support, and depression during pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 1995; 85(4):583-9. DOI: 10.1016/0029-7844(94)00449-N. View

14.

Lincoln K, Taylor R, Bullard K, Chatters L, Woodward A, Himle J . Emotional support, negative interaction and DSM IV lifetime disorders among older African Americans: findings from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL). Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2010; 25(6):612-21. PMC: 2955427. DOI: 10.1002/gps.2383. View

15.

Zlotnick C, Kohn R, Keitner G, Della Grotta S . The relationship between quality of interpersonal relationships and major depressive disorder: findings from the National Comorbidity Survey. J Affect Disord. 2000; 59(3):205-15. DOI: 10.1016/s0165-0327(99)00153-6. View

16.

Kiecolt-Glaser J, Dyer C, Shuttleworth E . Upsetting social interactions and distress among Alzheimer's disease family care-givers: a replication and extension. Am J Community Psychol. 1988; 16(6):825-37. DOI: 10.1007/BF00930895. View

17.

Newsom J, Nishishiba M, Morgan D, Rook K . The relative importance of three domains of positive and negative social exchanges: a longitudinal model with comparable measures. Psychol Aging. 2003; 18(4):746-54. DOI: 10.1037/0882-7974.18.4.746. View

18.

Taylor R, Chatters L, Mattis J, Joe S . Religious Involvement among Caribbean Blacks in the United States. Rev Relig Res. 2011; 52(2):125-145. PMC: 3171742. View

19.

Taylor R, Chatters L . Religious Media Use Among African Americans, Black Caribbeans, and Non-Hispanic Whites: Findings from the National Survey of American Life. J Afr Am Stud (New Brunsw). 2015; 15(4):433-454. PMC: 4452197. DOI: 10.1007/s12111-010-9144-z. View

20.

Rook K . The negative side of social interaction: impact on psychological well-being. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1984; 46(5):1097-1108. DOI: 10.1037//0022-3514.46.5.1097. View