RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore how a rural African American faith community would address depression within their congregations and the community as a whole. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: A qualitative, interpretive descriptive methodology was used. The sample included 24 participants representing pastors, parishioners interested in health, and African American men who had experienced symptoms of depression in a community in the Arkansas Delta. MEASURES: The primary data sources for this qualitative research study were focus groups. RESULTS: Participants identified three key players in the rural African American faith community who can combat depression: the Church, the Pastor/Clergy, and the Layperson. The roles of each were identified and recommendations for each to address depression disparities in rural African Americans. CONCLUSIONS: The recommendations can be used to develop faith-based interventions for depression targeting the African American faith community.
Assuntos
Negro ou Afro-Americano/psicologia , Depressão/etnologia , Disparidades nos Níveis de Saúde , Religião , População Rural , Adulto , Negro ou Afro-Americano/estatística & dados numéricos , Idoso , Arkansas , Clero/estatística & dados numéricos , Depressão/prevenção & controle , Feminino , Grupos Focais , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Among African-Americans, the faith community has a long history of providing support to its members. Because African-American men tend to delay and decline traditional depression treatment, the faith community may be an effective source of support. The aim of this study was to determine how a rural African-American faith community describes and perceives experiences of depression among African-American males. A convenience sample of 24 men and women participated in focus groups and interview. Four themes were identified: defining depression, etiology of depression, denial of depression, and effect of masculine roles on depression experience.
Assuntos
Atitude Frente a Saúde , Negro ou Afro-Americano/psicologia , Serviços de Saúde Comunitária , Transtorno Depressivo/psicologia , Transtorno Depressivo/terapia , Cura pela Fé , Assistência Religiosa , Religião e Psicologia , População Rural , Adaptação Psicológica , Adulto , Idoso , Estudos de Coortes , Pesquisa Participativa Baseada na Comunidade , Transtorno Depressivo/etnologia , Prática Clínica Baseada em Evidências , Feminino , Disparidades em Assistência à Saúde , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estresse Psicológico/complicações , Estresse Psicológico/psicologia , Estados Unidos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Mental health disparities exist for rural African-Americans regarding the early detection of depression and its effective treatment. Disparities that are evident in rural communities include limited mental health resources and the stigma of depression. The faith community has a long-standing history of being the initial source of help to those who experience depression. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how rural African-American faith communities view the barriers to diagnosis and treatment of depression. A convenience sample of 24 persons (N = 24) participated in focus groups and interviews. Four internal barriers were identified: personal business, "mindset," "denial," and "put on a front." Additionally,four external barriers were identified: "spiritual beliefs," "lack of medical resources," "lack of education about depression," and "stigma." The identified barriers supported the results from previous studies, but they also highlighted other less acknowledged barriers. In conclusion, interventions are needed to overcome these barriers in order to eliminate the depression disparities experienced by this population.