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The Paradoxical Impact of Companionship on the Mental Health of Older African American Men

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  • Jamie A Mitchell
  • Tamara Cadet
  • Shanna Burke
  • Ed-Dee Williams
  • Daniel Alvarez

Abstract

ObjectivesAfrican Americans comprise 9% of the 46 million U.S. adults over age 65. Two thirds of older African American men (AAM) reside with companions. This study investigated the assumption that frequent contact with companions confers mainly health-related benefits for AAM.MethodsUtilizing secondary data from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center, the relationship between older AAM’s mental health and related conditions (depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances), companion living arrangements, and frequency of contact with the participants for 3,423 older AAM and their 1,161 companions, was examined.ResultsThe mean age of participants and companions was 74 years and 90% of AAM lived in a private residence. Logistic regression models indicated that an increased risk for anxiety was found when companions lived in (OR = 1.66), called daily (OR = 1.089), or visited daily (OR = 1.079). Finally, AAM had an increased likelihood of nonmedical sleep disturbances when companions lived in (OR = 1.67), called daily (1.105), or visited daily (1.078).DiscussionThe frequency of contact with companions may be consequential for select mental health outcomes and associated physiological conditions for older AAM; the timing of contact requires further investigation.

Suggested Citation

  • Jamie A Mitchell & Tamara Cadet & Shanna Burke & Ed-Dee Williams & Daniel Alvarez, 2018. "The Paradoxical Impact of Companionship on the Mental Health of Older African American Men," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(2), pages 230-239.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:73:y:2018:i:2:p:230-239.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbx089
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hammond, W.P., 2012. "Taking it like a man: Masculine role norms as moderators of the racial discrimination-depressive symptoms association among African American men," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(S2), pages 232-241.
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    1. Xiuhai Xiong & Lingbo Liu & Zhenghong Peng & Hao Wu, 2021. "Physical Activities in Public Squares: The Impact of Companionship on Chinese Residents’ Health," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-14, July.

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