303361
Influence of Stigma on the Help-Seeking Behavior of Depressed Black Males among the Inmate Re-entry Population
METHODS – This study used a cross-sectional design examining stigma, self-efficacy, social support, symptoms of depression, and likelihood to seek help. Secondary data analyses from a larger, intervention study among soon-to-be-released adult, black men at transitional centers were conducted to examine the relationships among the study variables.
RESULTS – A total of 80% of the study population ranked minimal to mild severity of depression. Of the study participants, 25% were least likely, 42% were likely, and 33% were most likely to seek help for a mental problem of the sample. Friends were chosen as the source from which all participants would seek help (100%), while only 68% of the participants chose mental health specialists as the source from which they would seek help. Spearman’s Rho correlations were computed for the likelihood of seeking help and possible predictor factors. Analysis revealed a significant correlation between the likelihood of seeking help and social support (0.05), p<.05. Ordinal logistic regression revealed that self-efficacy, social support, and perceived public stigma are predictive for the likelihood of seeking help (p<05).
CONCLUSION – The results of this study can inform intervention programs addressing help-seeking behaviors for adult men re-entering the community after incarceration; hopefully reducing recidivism.
Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health educationPublic health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Describe the psychosocial factors experienced by incarcerated, African-American men.
Define levels of self-reported, depressive symptomatology as a way to gauge mental health status.
Assess the individual and combined impact psychosocial factors have on the mental health help-seeking behavior of incarcerated, African-American men.
Explain the impact psychosocial factors have on health provider preference.
Keyword(s): Prisoners Health, Depression
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the co-principal on multiple foundation grants focusing on the needs of the prison and reentry population. I have been promoted to the Director of Prison Health and Reentry Support at Community Voices: Healthcare for the Underserved and my research interests have been in defining and addressing needs of adults and youth in the criminal justice system through innovative and culturally-sensitive techniques.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.