Analyzing the Relationship between Educational Attainment and Serious Psychological Distress Among Black Male Adults in the U.S.: Evidence from National Survey of Drug Use and Health Data

Background and Purpose

Social Work aims to narrow health gaps and improve outcomes for marginalized populations, per the Grand Challenges for Social Work. In 2021, 21% of Black Americans reported experiencing a mental illness, and only 39% of them received mental health services for their condition. Mental health plays a crucial role in individual and social well-being, and cognitive functioning. Research suggests that many of the health disparities between racial groups are due to social and economic gaps, and further investigations are needed to explore the impact of educational attainment on their mental health outcomes.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between educational attainment and serious psychological distress (SPD) among Black adult males in the US. The study will enhance the understanding of mental health among Black males and contribute to efforts aimed at achieving equity in this historically marginalized community.

Methods

This cross-sectional study draws upon a subsample of Black males (N=2,316) within the 2022 publicly available National Survey of Drug Use and Health dataset. The study measured serious psychological distress (SPD) dichotomously using the Kessler-6 distress scale (n=299; score=13+ indicated SPD). The independent variable—educational attainment—was measured categorically as (1) HS diploma or less (n=1245), (2) some college or associate degree (n=671), and (2) college graduate (n=400). Controls included individual factors (e.g., sexual identity, age, state of health, sought treatment), socioeconomic factors (e.g., marital status, income, urbanicity), and substance use/alcohol use factors (e.g., recent marijuana use, recent alcohol use). Data were modeled using a series of logistic regressions.

Results

Bivariate findings indicated a significant relationship between educational attainment and serious psychological distress (SPD) X²(2, N=2316)=6.77, p<05. Regression analysis revealed Black male college graduates experienced lower odds of SPD (OR=.60, 95% CI [.41, .88], p<.05).

Upon controlling for individual, socioeconomic, and substance use factors, higher odds of SPD were noted among Black males who are gay/bisexual (OR= 2.60, 95% CI [1.57, 4.30], p <.001), aged 18-25 (OR= 2.86, 95% CI[ 1.88, 4.34], p<.001), aged 26-34, (OR= 2.46, 95% CI[1.60, 3.79], p<.001), unmarried (OR= 1.28, 95% CI [.81, 2.02], p<.05), and reported recent marijuana use (OR= 1.15, 95% CI[.67, 1.96], p<.001). Lower odds of SPD were noted among Black males reporting good health (OR= .47, 95%CI[.30, .72], p<.001). While educational attainment was no longer associated with SPD in the final model, it’s important to note that being a college graduate was associated with lower SPD after controlling for alcohol and marijuana use (OR=.59, 95% CI[.40, .87], p<.05).

Conclusion and Implications

Our findings indicate that higher education is a vehicle for well-being among Black males when investigating educational attainment and substance use factors. These findings suggest earning a college degree can serve as a protective factor. Ultimately, our findings underscore the importance of social determinants such as sexuality, age, health status, marital status, and marijuana use in understanding and addressing mental health needs among Black males. Future research should seek to extend these findings through a longitudinal examination of factors associated with serious psychological distress (SPD) among Black males.