Showing papers by "Harold W. Neighbors published in 2009"

12-Month and Lifetime Prevalence of Suicide Attempts Among Black Adolescents in the National Survey of American Life

Abstract: Objective Provide nationally representative data on the prevalence and psychiatric correlates of suicidal ideation and attempts among African American and Caribbean black adolescents in the United States.

Effects of racial discrimination and health behaviors on mental and physical health of middle-class African American men.

Abstract: This research is an examination of the effects of racial discrimination and health-promoting behaviors on the physical and mental health of a sample of 399 well-educated African American men. One would think that the attainment of higher education would increase health-promoting behaviors and might decrease discriminatory experiences that impact health. However, regression analysis indicated a more complex picture. Health-promoting behaviors were positively related to mental health, whereas experiences of racial discrimination contributed to poorer mental health. Relationships between health-promoting behaviors and that of racial discrimination to physical health were found to be nonsignificant. In conclusion, the authors discuss the importance of culturally appropriate health-promotion efforts.

Using national data sets to improve the health and mental health of Black Americans: challenges and opportunities.

Abstract: National datasets provide a unique opportunity to examine racial and ethnic disparities in health and mental health. In this article, the authors discuss some of the ways in which national datasets can facilitate our understanding of key pathways and mechanisms that explain racial and ethnic disparities and some of the conceptual and measurement issues that continue to hinder disparities research. Utilizing infant mortality and major depression as examples, the authors illustrate the complexity of studying racial and ethnic health and mental health disparities and argue that more thought and precision be utilized to study and explain these differences. Specifically, the authors argue that it is critical to disentangle population-level factors and individual-level characteristics to advance our understanding of disparities. The authors also contend that it is important for researchers to recognize the reciprocal relationship between the theoretical foundations and methodological innovations that must be integrated to effectively examine disparities. The authors conclude by discussing some of the benefits of researchers utilizing national databases that hold particular promise for addressing racial and ethnic disparities.

Ethnic differences in delays to treatment for substance use disorders: African Americans, Black Caribbeans and non-Hispanic whites.

Abstract: Prior research has shown that minority groups experience greater levels of disability associated with psychiatric and substance use conditions due to barriers to treatment. Treatment delays are an important part of the overall problem of service utilization and access to treatment, yet little work has been done to understand the factors associated with treatment delays among ethnic minorities. This study compares African Americans, Caribbean Blacks and non-Hispanic Whites regarding their probability of making treatment contacts over time, using a combined sample of African Americans and Caribbean Blacks from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) and non-Hispanic Whites from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (NCS-R). Alcohol and other drug use disorders (abuse and dependence) were assessed using the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Cumulative lifetime probability curves were used to examine race differences in treatment contact. Cox regression analysis was used to test the association between race and treatment groups while controlling for other potential confounding variables. Significant delays in making treatment contact were observed across all disorders. However, no evidence of delays was found for racial differences. In the multivariate analysis, race was not significantly associated with delays. However, comorbid anxiety disorders were found to be a consistent factor associated with a faster time to treatment.

Inconsistencies in diagnosis and symptoms among bilingual and english-speaking Latinos and Euro-Americans

Abstract: Objective: Little information is available about accuracy of diagnoses in clinical care for affective and other major mental disorders experienced by Latino patients. This study addressed two central research questions: Do Latinos have disproportionate rates of clinical diagnoses of major depression based on structured diagnostic interviews? Are diagnostic patterns consistent with patient profiles and medical record information? Methods: A total of 259 bilingual Latino, monolingual English-speaking Latino, and Euro-American patients aged 18 to 45 years with a history of severe depression or psychotic symptoms were compared across three clinical sites by using structured interviews. Results: Compared with Euro-Americans, bilingual Latinos had significantly higher rates of major depression and significantly lower levels of mania. No significant differences were found between monolingual English-speaking Latinos and Euro-Americans. Conclusions: Results suggest that the diagnostic process is affected by an apparent association with cultural-linguistic influences, notably speaking English as a second language. (Psychiatric Services 60: 1379–1382, 2009)