Rural Black Women and Depression: A Contextual Analysis

Abstract

ࡗ Rural Black Women and Depression: A Contextual AnalysisWe use ecological systems theory to guide our investigation of depression among a sample of 102 married Black mothers residing in the rural South. Using self-report data collected via computerized interviews during home visits, we conduct multivariate regression analyses, exploring the associations between depression and (a) spousal support and conflict, (b) cocaregiver support and conflict, (c) child conduct difficulties, and (d) socioeconomic risk. We hypothesize that each of these variables are associated with mothers' depression scores and that the extent to which these familial variables and depression are associated will vary across socioeconomic contexts. Socioeconomic risk, child conduct difficulties, and conflict with a cocaregiver were associated with women's depression in the full model. The moderational hypotheses were upheld for the variables of spousal support and child conduct difficulty. Spousal support and depression have a strong negative association under conditions of high socioeconomic risk and a nonsignificant relationship when socioeconomic risk is low. The association between child conduct difficulty and depression was exacerbated under high socioeconomic risk.

Factors related to depression in rural and urban noncustodial, low‐income fathers

“…The psychometric properties have previously been found to be consistent across age, sex, and ethnic subgroups~Radloff & Locke, 1986!. Numerous researchers~e.g., Brown, Brody, & Stoneman, 2000;Conerly, Baker, & Dye, 2002;Knight & McCallum, 1998;Letiecq & Koblinsky, 2003;McCallion & Kolomer, 2000! have used the CES-D to investigate mental health outcomes among African American populations and estab- & Trivette, 1984!…”

Food insecurity and maternal depression in rural, low-income families: a longitudinal investigation

“…Although assessments of the prevalence of depressive symptomatology and major depressive episodes (MDE) among rural populations are limited, Hauenstein and colleagues (15) argue that population mental health deteriorates as the level of rurality increases. The prevalence of clinically depressive symptomatology among rural women has been shown to range from 24 % to 69 % (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22) , and low-income women appear to be particularly vulnerable (16)(17)(18)21,22) . Given the high prevalence rates of both food insecurity and depression among rural women, and given previous studies suggesting that food insecurity and depression are associated, the purpose of the present study was to examine the longitudinal relationship between food insecurity and depression in a sample of low-income, rural women.…”

Depression, Sociocultural Factors, and African American Women

“…Brown et al, 2001). More research is needed in these areas in order to gain a clearer picture of mental health in African American women.…”