Is the Black-White Mental Health Paradox Consistent Across Gender and Psychiatric Disorders?. Issue 2 (24th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Erving, Christy L; Thomas, Courtney S; Frazier, Cleothia
• Is Part Of: American journal of epidemiology. Volume 188:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 314
• Page End: 322
• Publication Date: 2018-10-24
• Subjects: gender -- mental disorders -- National Comorbidity Survey Replication -- National Survey of American Life -- race/ethnicity; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 614.4
• DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwy224
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-9262

Abstract

Abstract: This study assessed whether the black-white mental health epidemiologic paradox (i.e., blacks' lower or similar rates of mental disorder relative to whites) extends across 12 lifetime and past-year psychiatric disorders and whether it varies with gender. We used data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication and the National Survey of American Life, 2001–2003 ( n = 4, 584 black and 6, 668 non-Hispanic white persons). Results showed overwhelming evidence of the paradox across lifetime and past-year disorders for women and men. In addition, blacks' mental health advantage over whites widened after adjusting for socioeconomic factors. There was one exception: Black women experienced higher risk of lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder compared with white women. These findings provide strong evidence for the "black-white mental health paradox"; however, additional research is needed to understand black women's heightened risk for posttraumatic stress disorder.