Shervin Assari1,2, Cleopatra H Caldwell3,4. 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Road, SPC 5763, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2700, USA. assari@umich.edu. 2. Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. assari@umich.edu. 3. Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 4. Department of Health Behavior and Health Education (HBHE), School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the well-established literature on the protective effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on physical and mental health, there are a few reports on poor mental health of blacks with high SES. Using a national sample, this study investigated the association between household income and risk of major depressive disorder (MDD) in black youth based on ethnicity, gender, and their intersection. METHODS: One thousand one hundred seventeen black adolescents (810 African Americans and 360 Caribbean blacks) were included in the current study. Household income was the main predictor. MDD (lifetime, 12-month, and 30-day) was the main outcome. Age was the covariate. Ethnicity and gender were the focal moderators. Logistic regressions were used for data analysis. RESULTS: In the pooled sample, household income was not associated with risk of MDD (lifetime, 12-month, or 30-day). We found significant interactions between income and gender on lifetime and 12-month MDD, suggesting a stronger protective effect of income on MDD for females than males. We also found significant interaction between income and ethnicity on 30-day MDD, suggesting stronger protective effect of income against MDD for Caribbean blacks than African Americans. In African American males, high household income was associated with higher risk of lifetime, 12-month, and 30-day MDD. For Caribbean black males and females, high household income was associated with lower odds of 30-day MDD. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that ethnicity and gender influence how socioeconomic resources such as income are associated with MDD risk among black youth. Higher household income may be associated with higher risk of MDD for African American males.
BACKGROUND: Despite the well-established literature on the protective effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on physical and mental health, there are a few reports on poor mental health of blacks with high SES. Using a national sample, this study investigated the association between household income and risk of major depressive disorder (MDD) in black youth based on ethnicity, gender, and their intersection. METHODS: One thousand one hundred seventeen black adolescents (810 African Americans and 360 Caribbean blacks) were included in the current study. Household income was the main predictor. MDD (lifetime, 12-month, and 30-day) was the main outcome. Age was the covariate. Ethnicity and gender were the focal moderators. Logistic regressions were used for data analysis. RESULTS: In the pooled sample, household income was not associated with risk of MDD (lifetime, 12-month, or 30-day). We found significant interactions between income and gender on lifetime and 12-month MDD, suggesting a stronger protective effect of income on MDD for females than males. We also found significant interaction between income and ethnicity on 30-day MDD, suggesting stronger protective effect of income against MDD for Caribbean blacks than African Americans. In African American males, high household income was associated with higher risk of lifetime, 12-month, and 30-day MDD. For Caribbean black males and females, high household income was associated with lower odds of 30-day MDD. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that ethnicity and gender influence how socioeconomic resources such as income are associated with MDD risk among black youth. Higher household income may be associated with higher risk of MDD for African American males.
Authors: Shervin Assari; Reuben Jonathan Miller; Robert Joseph Taylor; Dawne Mouzon; Verna Keith; Linda M Chatters Journal: J Racial Ethn Health Disparities Date: 2017-04-12
Authors: Arline T Geronimus; Jay A Pearson; Erin Linnenbringer; Amy J Schulz; Angela G Reyes; Elissa S Epel; Jue Lin; Elizabeth H Blackburn Journal: J Health Soc Behav Date: 2015-04-30
Authors: David R Williams; Hector M González; Harold Neighbors; Randolph Nesse; Jamie M Abelson; Julie Sweetman; James S Jackson Journal: Arch Gen Psychiatry Date: 2007-03
Authors: Shervin Assari; Heather T Schatten; Sarah A Arias; Ivan W Miller; Carlos A Camargo; Edwin D Boudreaux Journal: J Racial Ethn Health Disparities Date: 2019-07-05