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Religious Involvement, Racial/Ethnic Disparities, and Depression: Exploring the Black-white Mental Health Paradox
Colton L Daniels1, Eric C Shattuck2, Thankam S Sunil3
1Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, St. Mary's University, 1 Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, TX, 78228, USA. cdaniels4@stmarytx.edu.
Abstract:
Previous research has shown that despite higher rates of poverty and race-based discrimination, Black Americans tend to report better mental health outcomes than their non-Hispanic White counterparts. This black-white mental health paradox has been attributed to greater religious involvement and associated health benefits among Black Americans. Data for this study come from a U.S. national sample (n = 1,259) who reported being sick in the past twelve months. Regression analysis indicates that Black American and Hispanic/Latino respondents reported lower levels of depressive symptoms. Frequent attendance at religious services and meetings is associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms, but only for Black Americans and Hispanics/Latinos. Interestingly, the public and private dimensions of religion are positively associated with increased levels of depressive symptoms.
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