African American Women Living with Mental Disorders: Factors Associated with Help Seeking from Professional Services and Informal Supports

Abstract

This study utilized data from the National Survey of American Life to investigate the use of professional services and informal support among Black women with a lifetime mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder. Forty-seven percent combined professional services and informal support, 14% relied on professional services only, 2% used informal support only, and 16% did not seek help. Co-occurring disorders, recent episodes, social networks, marital status, age, and level of education were significantly related to help seeking from professional and informal helpers, demonstrating the importance of both. Targeting interventions in these areas will likely increase treatment effectiveness.

Keywords:

• African American women
• mental health
• help-seeking behaviors
• professional mental health providers
• informal support systems

Notes

^aUnweighted Ns, weighted percentages.

^bRao-Scott chi-squared for categorical variables and F means test for continuous variables.

^cFor differences across the four categories.

^dScores range from 0–26, with higher scores indicating that household income is farther from the poverty threshold.

^eScores range from 0–5, with higher scores indicating more frequent contact with family.

^fPossible scores range from 0–3, with higher scores indicating more closeness to family.

^aReference: combined use of professional services and informal support.