Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Race and Social Problems pp 267–278Cite as

Mental Health Indicators for African American Males

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 2576 Accesses

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to review briefly a range of indicators that provide some clues about the mental health status and psychosocial functioning of African American boys. The chapter presents what is known about the comparative rates of psychological difficulties observed among males under the age of 18. To provide mental health indicators, we will draw on data from mental health screenings in early childhood programs, survey the mental health epidemiological literature which examines DSM disorders, and review-related indicators such as rates of assignment to special education and rates of suicide. The chapter concludes with an attempt to use existing research to explain the differential mental health of African American males. Specifically, the chapter discusses the strain and trauma in the lives of boys of color and how this creates a social context for coping that is implicated in the disproportionately high levels of behavioral disorders attributed to young African American males.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual (dSM-5). Retrieved from http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Default.aspx

  • Baker, F. M. (2001). Diagnosing depression in African Americans. Community Mental Health Journal, 37(1), 31–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barbarin, O. (2007). Mental health screening of pre-school children: Validity and reliability of ABLE. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 77(3), 402–418.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barbarin, O., & Soler, R. (1993). Behavioral, emotional and academic adjustment in a national probability sample of African American children: Effects of age, gender and family structure. Journal of Black Psychology, 19(4), 423–446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowen, N. K., & Bowen, G. L. (1999). Effects of crime and violence in neighborhoods and schools on the school behavior and performance of adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Research, 14(3), 319–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowman, M. A., Prelow, H. M., & Weaver, S. R. (2007). Parenting behaviors, association with deviant peers, and delinquency in African American adolescents: A mediated-moderation model. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 36(4), 517–527.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, T., Harris, S. K., Thrall, J. S., & Woods, E. R. (2002). Association of adolescent risk behaviors with mental health symptoms in high school students. Journal of Adolescent Health, 31(3), 240–246.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, C., Schulberg, H. C., & Madonia, M. (1996). Clinical presentations of major depression by African Americans and Whites in primary medical care practice. Journal of Affective Disorders, 41(3), 181–191.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bryant, A., & Zimmerman, M. (2003). Role models and psychosocial outcomes among African American adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Research, 18(1), 36–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell, C. H., Sellers, R. M., & Bernat, D. H. (2004). Racial identity, parental support, and alcohol use in a sample of academically at-risk African American high school students. Journal of Community Psychology, 34(1–2), 71–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, G. Y., & Stevenson, H. C. (2006). Racial socialization experiences and symptoms of depression among Black youth. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 15(3), 303–317.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delbello, M. P., Lopez-Larson, M. P., Soutullo, C. A., & Strakowski, S. M. (2001). Effects of race on psychiatric diagnosis of hospitalized adolescents: A retrospective chart review. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 11(1), 95–103.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ditton, P., & Wilson, D. (1999). Truth in sentencing in state prisons. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, U.S. Department of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drucker, E. (1999). Drug prohibition. Public Health Report, 114(1), 14–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eaton, D. K., Kann, L., Kinchen, S., Ross, J., Hawkins, J., Harris, W. A., et al. (2006). Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, 2005. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fothergill, K. E., & Ensminger, M. A. (2005). Childhood and adolescent antecedents of drug and alcohol problems: A longitudinal study. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 82(1), 61–76.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Horton, E. G. (2007). Racial differences in the effects of age of onset on alcohol consumption and development of alcohol-related problems among males from mid-adolescence to young adulthood. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 6(1), 1–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ialongo, N., McCreary, B. K., Pearson, J. L., Koenig, A. L., Schmidt, N. B., Poduska, J., et al. (2004). Major depressive disorder in a population of urban, African American young adults; prevalence, correlates, comorbidity and unmet mental health service need. Journal of Affective Disorders, 79(1–3), 127–136.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Joe, S., Baser, R. E., Breeden, G., Neighbors, H. W., & Jackson, J. S. (2006). Prevalence of and risk factors for lifetime suicide attempts among Blacks in the United States. Journal of the American Medical Association, 296(17), 2112–2123.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mandara, J., & Murray, C. B. (2000). Effects of parental marital status, income, and family functioning on African American adolescent self-esteem. Journal of Family Psychology, 14(3), 475–490.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Council on Crime and Delinquency. (2007). And justice for some: Differential treatment of youth of color in the justice system. Oakland, CA. Retrieved from October 9, 2013, from http://www.nccdglobal.org/sites/default/files/publication_pdf/justice-for-some.pdf

  • National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2003). Drug use among racial/ethnic minorities, revised. Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neal, L., McCray, A. D., Webb-Johnson, G., & Bridgest, S. T. (2003). The effects of African American movement styles on teachers’ perceptions and reactions. The Journal of Special Education, 37(1), 49–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paxton, K. C., Robinson, W. L., Shah, S., & Schoeny, M. E. (2004). Psychological distress for African American adolescent males: Exposure to community violence and social support as factors. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 34(4), 281–295.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peters, R. J., Kelder, S. H., Markham, C. M., Yacoubian, G. S., Peters, L. A., & Ellis, A. (2003). Beliefs and social norms about codeine and promethazine hydrochloride cough syrup (CPHCS) onset and perceived addiction among urban Houstonian adolescents: An addiction trend in the city of lean. Journal of Drug Education, 33(4), 415–425.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Poe-Yamagata, E., & Jones, M. A. (2000). And justice for some. Washington, DC: National council on crime and delinquency. Retrieved June 28, 2008, from http://www.buildingblocksforyouth.org/justiceforsome/jfs.html

  • Rheingold, A., Smith, D. W., Ruggiero, K. J., Saunders, B. E., Kilpatrick, D. G., & Resnick, H. S. (2003). Loss, trauma exposure, and mental health in a representative sample of 12-17-year-old youth: Data from the National Survey of Adolescents. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 9(1), 1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, R., Attkisson, C., & Rosenblatt, A. (1998). Prevalence of psychopathology among children and adolescents. American Journal of Psychiatry, 155(6), 715–725.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, R., Roberts, C., & Chen, Y. (1997). Ethnocultural differences in the prevalence of adolescent depression. American Journal of Community Psychology, 25(1), 95–110.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, J., Davis, L., Williams, T., & Williams, J. H. (2004). Gender differences in self-perceptions and academic outcomes: A study of African American high school students. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 33(1), 81–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sellers, R., Copeland-Linder, N., & Martin, P. (2006). Racial identity matters: The relationship between racial discrimination and psychological functioning in African American adolescents. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 16(2), 187–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skiba, R. J., Michael, R. S., Nardo, A. C., & Peterson, R. L. (2002). The color of discipline: Sources of racial and gender disproportionality in school punishment. The Urban Review, 34(4), 317–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Education (2005). 25th Annual (2003) report to Congress on the implementation of the individuals with disabilities act (1), Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Youngstrom, E., Loeber, R., & Stouthamer-Loeber, M. (2000). Patterns and correlates of agreement between parent, teacher, and male adolescent rating of externalizing and internalizing problems. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68(6), 1038–1050.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmerman, R. S., Khoury, E. L., Vega, W. A., Gil, A. G., & Warheit, G. J. (1995). Teacher and parent perceptions of behavior problems among a sample of African American, Hispanic, and Non-Hispanic White students. American Journal of Community Psychology, 23(2), 181–197.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA

    Oscar A. Barbarin

  2. University of Louisville, 310 N. Whittington Pkwy., Louisville, KY, 40222, USA

    Emma Sterrett

Authors
  1. Oscar A. Barbarin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Emma Sterrett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Oscar A. Barbarin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center on Race and Social Problems, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Ralph Bangs

  2. Center on Race and Social Problems, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Larry E. Davis

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Barbarin, O.A., Sterrett, E. (2015). Mental Health Indicators for African American Males. In: Bangs, R., Davis, L. (eds) Race and Social Problems. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0863-9_17

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation