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Risk and Protective Factors for Depressive Symptoms Among African American Men: An Application of the Stress Process
Mathew D Gayman1, Ben Lennox Kail1, Amy Spring1
1Department of Sociology, Georgia State University, Atlanta.
Objectives:
This study employs the stress process model (SPM) to identify risk/protective factors for mental health among adult African American men.
Method:
Using a community-based sample of Miami, FL residents linked to neighborhood Census data, this study identifies risk/protective factors for depressive symptomatology using a sample of 248 adult African American men.
Results:
The stress process variables independently associated with depressive symptoms were family support, mastery, self-esteem, chronic stressors, and daily discrimination. While mastery and self-esteem mediated the relationship between neighborhood income and depressive symptoms, perceived family support served as a buffer for stress exposure. Collectively, the SPM explains nearly half of the variability in depressive symptoms among African American men.
Discussion:
The SPM is a useful conceptual framework for identifying psychosocial risk/protective factors and directing health initiatives and policies aimed at improving the psychological health of African American men.
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