This study examined differences in kin and nonkin networks among African Americans, Caribbean Blacks (Black Caribbeans), and non‐Hispanic Whites. Data are taken from the National Survey of American Life, a nationally representative study of African Americans, Black Caribbeans, and non‐Hispanic Whites. Selected measures of informal support from family, friendship, fictive kin, and congregation/church networks were utilized. African Americans were more involved in congregation networks, whereas non‐Hispanic Whites were more involved in friendship networks. African Americans were more likely to give support to extended family members and to have daily interaction with family members. African Americans and Black Caribbeans had larger fictive kin networks than non‐Hispanic Whites, but non‐Hispanic Whites with fictive kin received support from them more frequently than African Americans and Black Caribbeans. The discussion notes the importance of examining kin and nonkin networks, as well as investigating ethnic differences within the Black American population.

Objectives This study examined the influence of church and family based social support on depressive symptoms and serious psychological distress among older African Americans. Methods The analysis is based on the National Survey of American Life (NSAL). Church and family based informal social support correlates of depressive symptoms (CES-D) and serious psychological distress (K6) were examined. Data from 686 African Americans aged 55 years or older who attend religious services at least a few times a year are used in this analysis. Results Multivariate analysis found that social support from church members was significantly and inversely associated with depressive symptoms and psychological distress. Frequency of negative interactions with church members was positively associated with depressive symptoms and psychological distress. Social support from church members remained significant but negative interaction from church members did not remain significant when controlling for indicators of family social support. Among this sample of church goers, emotional support from family was a protective factor and negative interaction with family was a risk factor for depressive symptoms and psychological distress. Conclusions This is the first investigation of the relationship between church and family based social support and depressive symptoms and psychological distress among a national sample of older African Americans. Overall, the findings indicate that social support from church networks was protective against depressive symptoms and psychological distress. This finding remained significant when controlling for indicators of family social support.

This study examined whether training provided to adults age 60+ would increase the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as email and the Internet, and influence participants' social support and mental health. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental (n=45) or a control group (n=38). The experimental group participated in a six-month training program. Data were collected before, during, and after training on outcomes related to computer use, social support, and mental health. Mixed regression models were used for multivariate analyses. Compared to the control group, the experimental group reported greater self-efficacy in executing computer-related tasks and used more ICTs, perceived greater social support from friends, and reported significantly higher quality of life. Computer self-efficacy had both a direct and indirect effect on ICT use, but not on other variables. With appropriate training, older adults want to and can learn the skills needed to use ICTs. Older adults with ICT skills can access online sources of information regarding Medicare Part D options and utilize patient portals associated with electronic medical records. Agencies may develop services that build upon this technology sophistication, but policies also will need to address issues of access to equipment and high-speed Internet service.

Objectives-This study examined the religious correlates of psychiatric disorders. Design-The analysis is based on the National Survey of American Life (NSAL). The AfricanAmerican sample of the NSAL is a national representative sample of households with at least one African American adult 18 years or over. This study utilizes the older African American sub-sample (n=837).Methods-Religious correlates of selected measures of lifetime DSM-IV psychiatric disorders (i.e., panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress, major depressive disorder, dysthymia, bipolar I & II disorders, alcohol abuse/dependence, and drug abuse/dependence) were examined.Participants-Data from 837 African Americans aged 55 years or older are used in this analysis. Measurement-The DSM-IV World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview(WMH-CIDI) was used to assess mental disorders. Measures of functional status (i.e., mobility and self-care) were assessed using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment ScheduleSecond Version (WHODAS-II). Measures of organizational, non-organizational and subjective religious involvement, number of doctor diagnosed physical health conditions, and demographic factors were assessed.Results-Multivariate analysis found that religious service attendance was significantly and inversely associated with the odds of having a lifetime mood disorder.Conclusions-This is the first study to investigate the relationship between religious participation and serious mental disorders among a national sample of older African Americans. The inverse relationship between religious service attendance and mood disorders is discussed. Implications for mental health treatment underscore the importance of assessing religious orientations to render more culturally sensitive care. Over the last several years, increasing attention has been devoted to examining religious correlates of mental health among various groups of the population (1-4). This literature includes focused epidemiologic studies; large-scale general surveys of the population; smaller, geographically-situated community studies; and research conducted within clinical settings (5-11). This extensive body of research is characterized by differences in theoretical orientations and conceptualizations and measurement of religious involvement and mental health, as well as in research methods, study samples and analytic approaches. Despite these differences, the data overall indicate largely positive associations between various forms of religious involvement (e.g., service attendance, private prayer, religious coping) and diverse indicators of mental health and well-being (i.e., life satisfaction and happiness) and lower rates of depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other psychiatric outcomes among religious adherents (2). Associations between religious participation and psychiatric disorders likely vary across populations, with particularly robust findings for vu...

This study utilized data from the National Survey of American Life to investigate the use of professional services and informal support among African American and Caribbean black men with a lifetime mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder. Thirty-three percent used both professional services and informal support, 14% relied on professional services only, 24% used informal support only, and 29% did not seek help. African American men were more likely than to rely on informal support alone. Having co-occurring mental and substance disorders, experiencing an episode in the past 12 months, and having more people in the informal network increased the likelihood of using professional services and informal supports. Marital status, age, and socioeconomic status were also significantly related to help-seeking. The results suggests potential unmet need. However, the reliance on informal support also suggests a strong protective role that informal networks play in the lives of black men.