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Who Can I Turn To? Emotional Support Availability in African American Social Networks

Author

Listed:
  • Sula Hood

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA)

  • Elizabeth Golembiewski

    (Department of Health Policy and Management, Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA)

  • Kyle Benbow

    (Department of Counseling Psychology, Social Psychology, and Counseling, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306, USA)

  • Hadyatoullaye Sow

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA)

  • Vetta Sanders Thompson

    (George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA)

Abstract

African Americans disproportionately experience psychological distress, such as feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness and are disproportionately exposed to risk factors associated with mental illness, such as racial discrimination, violence and poverty. To effectively address African Americans’ mental health needs, it is imperative to identify who African Americans turn to when they experience stressors. The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which emotional support is provided within African Americans’ social networks and determine the characteristics of social network members who African Americans rely upon for emotional support. Results indicate that African Americans rely on social network members for spiritual and physical health support more so than emotional support. Among both male and female participants, social network members were significantly more likely to be relied upon for emotional support if they were a non-familial network contact, had a close relationship to the participant, and if they also were someone the participant spoke to about his or her physical health. Findings have implications for the development of culturally-sensitive strategies for increasing emotional support provision within African Americans’ social networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Sula Hood & Elizabeth Golembiewski & Kyle Benbow & Hadyatoullaye Sow & Vetta Sanders Thompson, 2017. "Who Can I Turn To? Emotional Support Availability in African American Social Networks," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:6:y:2017:i:3:p:104-:d:110709
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kristine J. Ajrouch & Toni C. Antonucci & Mary R. Janevic, 2001. "Social Networks Among Blacks and Whites," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 56(2), pages 112-118.
    2. Bécares, L. & Nazroo, J. & Jackson, J., 2014. "Ethnic density and depressive symptoms among African Americans: Threshold and differential effects across social and demographic subgroups," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(12), pages 2334-2341.
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