Depression and black men: implications for future research

Recent studies indicate that the health gap between Black men and men of other racial/ethnic groups in the US is widening, with Black men experiencing poorer health. Because mental health is an indelible component of overall health, addressing the health issues of Black men requires a critical examination of factors that influence the mental health of this population. Prior research suggests that Black men have more adverse life experiences than men of other racial/ethnic groups and, consequently, experience more depressive symptoms. However, limited research exists regarding depression and Black men. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to organize available evidence systematically, while examining the factors that lead to depression in Black men. Results from over two decades of literature suggest that psychosocial coping, economic status/income, and racism/discrimination are the major factors that contribute to depression and depressive symptoms in Black men. Although the first two factors are listed as factors for depression across races/ethnicities, the third, racism/discrimination, carries major implications for public health and, ultimately, for improving the health status of Black men.