Anxiety disorders research with African Americans: Current status.

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders in the general population of the United States. Recent findings indicate that the prevalence of certain anxiety disorders may be higher in African Americans. In addition, anxiety disorders in African Americans may be manifested differently. Despite the high prevalence and the suggestion of different patterns of manifestation, a paucity of research exists on anxiety disorders in this population. This may be due in part to the pattern of help-seeking behavior among African Americans, a negative perception of research by members of this community, the small number of African American researchers, and perhaps to some extent a general disinterest on the part of researchers. The available research on anxiety disorders in African Americans is critically reviewed, the need for research in the area is highlighted, and ways to facilitate such research are discussed.

Anxiety disorders in African-American and white children

“…The fears assessed in this study centered around the use of other persons' property (e.g., towels, utensils, dishes), animals, weather (lightning and thunder), and people (dentists, teachers, policemen, etc.). Neal and Turner (1991) suggested that the African-American children in this study reported more fears because many of the fear eliciting stimuli (e.g., using other persons' property) reflected the real hostility directed toward African-Americans in the late 1950s. It is possible that such results might not be obtained today.…”

“…In fact, among children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds with PTSD, 21.1% were African-American and only 3.4% were white. Neal and Turner (1991) have pointed out that African-Americans from low socioeconomic backgrounds may be at greater risk for the development of PTSD because of the greater number of stressors (e.g., crime, abuse, poverty) encountered by AfricanAmericans from low socioeconomic communities.…”

“…Neal and Turner (1991) point out that this difference may be accounted for, at least in part, by semantic differences in Africa-American and white children. In the Nalven (1970) study, African-American children were more likely than whites to report fears of specific animals (e.g., a fear of rats) when interviewed.…”

“…Also, by comparing these two groups, we may increase our understanding of the etiology of anxiety disorders by identifying risk factors for anxiety that reflect the particular sociocultural backgrounds of AfricanAmericans and white Americans. Neal and Turner (1991) reviewed the available data on anxiety in African-Americans and concluded that there is evidence, albeit limited, to suggest a relationship between anxiety and race (Kashani & Orvaschel, 1988;LaPouse & Monk, 1959;Nalven, 1970). In an early study of childhood fears, LaPouse and Monk (1959) found that African-American children reported significantly more fears than their white counterparts.…”

Recruitment and retention of African American patients for clinical research: An exploration of response rates in an urban psychiatric hospital.

“…For example, Neal and Turner's (1991) review of research on anxiety disorders among African Americans prompted the following statement:…”