Abstract
Gaining greater understanding about the various psychosocial, socio-cultural, and environmental factors that may influence experiences of depression among African American women (AAW) helps elucidate how this mental illness impacts the lives of this population. Sixty-three adult AAW comprised the study’s convenience sample. Specifically, focus group cohorts inclusive of women from an academic institution, a primary healthcare clinic, and an urban community setting were conducted. Results indicated six (6) dominant common themes as issues that may increase risk for depression among diverse AAW. Similarities and differences about perspectives that contributed to depression were delineated among the three cohorts of AAW. These results are important for mental/behavioral health researchers, practitioners, and public health professionals that are engaged in the design and implementation of culturally centered and gender-specific prevention and intervention strategies targeted to AAW at risk for depression.
Highlights
Mental illness has grown as an area of interest in public health concerns, especially among African Americans
The groups of American women (AAW) that participated in the study had diverse backgrounds which contributed to the rich information that was ascertained
The dominant themes delineated between the various focus groups indicated the difference in views of the women about issues relative to experiences of depression
Summary
Mental illness has grown as an area of interest in public health concerns, especially among African Americans. Report symptoms of major depressive disorder, and when they do, it tends to be more chronic and severe, and they are much less likely to undergo mental health treatment (Williams, Gonzalez, Neighbors, et al, 2007) This may in part be due to stigma and less trust with the medical community, poor or no insurance coverage for mental health services, problems accessing culturally responsive mental health professionals, and over reliance on family, friends and/or religious communities for support (Holden & Xanthos, 2009). More empirical data is needed to better determine strategies for improving recognition/early detection of depression among AAW; since AAW are not frequently confronted with isolated stressors, but with a constellation of multiple and complex issues that can engender anxiety and symptoms of depression (Taylor & Holden, 2009) The purpose of this cross-sectional qualitative pilot study was to foster greater understanding about diverse AAW’s perceptions about psychosocial, socio-cultural, and environmental related contributors to depression for AAW
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