Acting “Tough” in a “Tough” World: An Examination of Fear Among Urban African American Adolescents

Abstract

African American adolescents (132 males and 128 females; age M = 14.8 years, SD = 0.92) enrolled in an urban community social skills development program participated in a study assessing the relationship among perceptions of family and community social support, fear of calamitous events, depression, and anger expression. Expressing fear of calamitous events that were considered harmful but not necessarily lethal was related to increased depression, whereas expressing fear of lethal calamitous events was related to increased anger expression. Results are discussed in terms of issues of race, gender, and adolescent development.

Family Matters: The Role of Mental Health Stigma and Social Support on Depressive Symptoms and Subsequent Help Seeking Among African American Boys

“…As a main effect, social support was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. This finding is consistent with previous literature suggesting the positive influence of social support on depressive symptoms (Gaylord-Harden et al, 2007; Hall, Cassidy, & Stevenson, 2008; Zimmerman et al, 2000). Interestingly, in the Hall et al (2008) study, this main effect was only found for girls.…”

“…This finding is consistent with previous literature suggesting the positive influence of social support on depressive symptoms (Gaylord-Harden et al, 2007; Hall, Cassidy, & Stevenson, 2008; Zimmerman et al, 2000). Interestingly, in the Hall et al (2008) study, this main effect was only found for girls. As an interactive effect, regression coefficients indicated that the negative relationship between mental health stigma and depressive symptoms increased with every increase in level of social support.…”

The Legacy of Fear: Is Fear Impacting Fatal and Non-Fatal Drowning of African American Children?

“…In contrast, African American adolescent boys experience the highest fatal and non-fatal drowning rates, but they have lower levels of fear for drowning/being injured while swimming than African American girls. This finding matches research that found that African American adolescent males adopt a "tough guy" attitude in order to avoid depression and anxiety that typically emerges when living in a dangerous environment (Hall, Cassidy, & Stevenson, 2008). This hard exterior persona and lower levels of fear may explain why African American adolescent boys drown at such high rates.…”

Protective Factors for Depression Among African American Children of Predominantly Low-Income Mothers with Depression

“…These results were expected, as there have been several studies showing that weaker social support is associated with greater depression and psychological distress within African American populations (Ceballo & McLoyd, 2002; McKnight-Eily et al, 2009; Thompson et al, 2000). For instance, kinship support has been found to be negatively correlated with adolescent depression symptoms and behavior problems in single-parent households (Hall et al, 2008; Taylor et al, 1993). Also, in a study with both African American and Caucasian mothers with depression, lower satisfaction with support networks was associated with higher rates of internalizing disorders in their children (McCarty et al, 2003).…”

“…Construct validity of this measure is demonstrated by positive correlations with measures of family routines and informal kinship support (Jones, 2007; Taylor, Seaton, & Dominquez, 2008). The Kinship Support Scale has adequate internal consistency (0.72 - 0.86) for African American youth (Hall, Cassidy, & Stevenson, 2008; Jones, 2007; Kenny, Blustein, Chaves, Grossman, Gallagher, 2003; Taylor et al, 1993). Strong internal consistency (α =.88) has been found in a sample of low-income African American mothers (Taylor & Roberts, 1995).…”