The Effects of Multiple Dimensions of Risk and Protective Factors on Depressive Symptoms Among Nonresident African American Fathers

• Main Authors: Caldwell, C.H (Author), Hill De Loney, E. (Author), Qian, Y. (Author), Thomas, A. (Author), Tsuchiya, K. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley Blackwell 2018
• Subjects: adult; Adult; African American; African Americans; depression; Depression; Depressive symptoms; father; Fathers; human; Humans; Interpersonal stress; male; Male; mental stress; middle aged; Middle Aged; Midwestern United States; Nonresident African American fathers; pathophysiology; Perceived financial strain; Perceived neighborhood characteristics; protection; Protective Factors; psychology; questionnaire; risk factor; Risk Factors; social support; Social support; Social Support; Stress, Psychological; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; urban population; Urban Population; young adult; Young Adult
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 Compared to other groups, African American men experience proportionately greater adverse social and economic circumstances, which have been linked to poor mental health. A growing body of literature has begun to examine depressive symptoms among African American men; however, limited literature has examined the concurrent contributions of risk and protective factors among nonresident African American fathers. This study examined the relative contribution of perceived financial strain, perceived neighborhood characteristics, and interpersonal stress on depressive symptoms among 347 nonresident African American fathers. Social support was examined as a protective factor for depressive symptoms. Results from hierarchical regression analyses indicated interpersonal stress was associated with depressive symptoms even after controlling for perceived financial strain, perceived neighborhood characteristics, and specific sociodemographic factors. Additionally, among fathers with high interpersonal stress, having more social support buffered the negative effect of interpersonal stress on depressive symptoms. Findings suggest experiencing strain from multiple dimensions can increase the risk of depressive symptoms among nonresident African American fathers. We also found that interpersonal stress was especially harmful for mental health. Family service providers and mental health professionals should incorporate stress management techniques to reduce stressful interpersonal relationships as a way to lower depressive symptoms among nonresident African American fathers. © 2018 Society for Community Research and Action