Differences in Depressive Symptoms Among African Americans and Whites: Prevalence, Symptom Patterns and Coping Resources

Racial differences in self-reported depressive symptomatology have been inconsistent. The current study examined potential interactive relations of race (Black and White) and SES (i.e., poverty status) to the magnitude and patterns of depressive symptoms with adjustment for potentially important confounding variables. Also examined were racial differences in the use of culturally-relevant coping resources, and whether these coping resources were differentially protective against depression in Blacks and Whites. Participants were 2,440 socioeconomically diverse men and women drawn from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Disparities across the Life Span (HANDLS) study (58% Black) had completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression scale (CES-D). After covariate adjustment, multiple regression analyses revealed no significant interactions of race and poverty status, or main effects of race with respect to depressive symptoms. However, participants living in poverty displayed significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms, and clinically significant depression, than those above the poverty line (p's < .05); these findings were only apparent in women in exploratory analyses. No significant associations were noted for race or the interaction of race and poverty status for the depressive affect, somatic complaints, or interpersonal problems subscales of the CES-D. However, Black participants reported significantly higher levels of positive affect than Whites (p < .05), but in women only. Additionally, participants living in poverty reported significantly higher levels of somatic complaints and depressive affect and less positive affect than those above the poverty line (p's < .05). Blacks reported significantly higher levels of social support, religious coping and ethnic identity than Whites (p's < .05). Participants living in poverty reported less emotional support and religious coping than those above the poverty line (p's < .05). However, coping resources did not moderate the relations of race to depressive symptoms. Exploratory analyses revealed that non-poverty Blacks who reported greater ethnic identity scores had fewer depressive symptoms. Results suggest complex associations among race, poverty status, and sex with respect to depressive symptoms and relevant coping resources. Poverty status may confer risk for depressive symptoms among women. Findings may point to the potential for positive adaptation among African Americans, particularly women