Research That Matters (January 17 - 20, 2008)

Purpose: The mental health of men is a growing, yet understudied social work concern. Studies suggest not only that incidence rates of mental health problems are increasing among men (Kessler et al., 1994; Kessler & Zhao, 1999), but also that men are more likely to cope with mental health symptoms in harmful ways (NIMH, 2003). Few studies, however, have examined the complex relationships between poverty and race on men's mental health. Moreover, researchers have indicated the need for increased examination of protective resources such as social supports within poor populations (Braboy et al., 2003; Ryff et al., 2004). On the basis of increasing rates of anxiety and depression among men (Kessler et al., 1994; Magee et al., 1996) and potentially destructive coping strategies that may be used by men to combat mental health symptoms, a recent campaign was initiated by NIMH (2003) targeting depressive symptoms in men. In particular, NIMH (2003) contends that the importance of interpersonal supports from family and friends may provide validation, a healthy means of coping, and access to necessary mental health intervention. The purpose of this study was to examine how African American and White men who are considered at-risk due to poverty may nevertheless maintain positive mental health outcomes over time. Specifically, we examined whether perceived social supports were associated with mental health outcomes among poor men and whether social supports were more important to poor African American or White men.

Methods: This study utilizes data from the Americans' Changing Lives Survey (ACL), a multi-stage area probability study of 3,617 U.S. non-institutionalized adults that included over-samples of African Americans. Respondents were assessed across three waves of data collection: 1986, 1989, and 1994. We examined a sub-sample of 137 poor African American and 147 poor White men whose family incomes were less than $10,000 at baseline. We performed OLS regression change analyses to evaluate the possible protective effect of Wave 1 perceived social support from family and friends (quality, frequency, & confidant) on changes in poor men's psychological distress (CES-D) and self-esteem (Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale) by Wave 3.

Results: Quality and frequent support from friends and relatives were associated with less psychological distress and more self-esteem among poor men. The effects of quality family and friend supports for poor men in 1986 were also predictive of decreases in psychological distress over time. There were no differences in the perception of quality, frequent, and confidant supports between poor African American and White men.

Implications: Study results revealed the protective and promotive influence of multiple types of perceived social support on the mental health of poor men. Study results also provide new evidence on the importance of quality social supports as potential predictors of positive changes in poor men's mental health. Results from this study further suggest that perceived social supports may not only be associated with better mental health, they may also serve as a means of promoting outreach with men and/or prompting men to access mental health providers.