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. 2016 Apr 27;11(4):e0154035.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154035. eCollection 2016.

Psychosocial Mechanisms Linking the Social Environment to Mental Health in African Americans

Scherezade K Mama  1 , Yisheng Li  2 , Karen Basen-Engquist  3 , Rebecca E Lee  4 , Deborah Thompson  5 , David W Wetter  6 , Nga T Nguyen  2 , Lorraine R Reitzel  7 , Lorna H McNeill  8
Affiliations

Psychosocial Mechanisms Linking the Social Environment to Mental Health in African Americans

Scherezade K Mama et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Resource-poor social environments predict poor health, but the mechanisms and processes linking the social environment to psychological health and well-being remain unclear. This study explored psychosocial mediators of the association between the social environment and mental health in African American adults. African American men and women (n = 1467) completed questionnaires on the social environment, psychosocial factors (stress, depressive symptoms, and racial discrimination), and mental health. Multiple-mediator models were used to assess direct and indirect effects of the social environment on mental health. Low social status in the community (p < .001) and U.S. (p < .001) and low social support (p < .001) were associated with poor mental health. Psychosocial factors significantly jointly mediated the relationship between the social environment and mental health in multiple-mediator models. Low social status and social support were associated with greater perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and perceived racial discrimination, which were associated with poor mental health. Results suggest the relationship between the social environment and mental health is mediated by psychosocial factors and revealed potential mechanisms through which social status and social support influence the mental health of African American men and women. Findings from this study provide insight into the differential effects of stress, depression and discrimination on mental health. Ecological approaches that aim to improve the social environment and psychosocial mediators may enhance health-related quality of life and reduce health disparities in African Americans.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Direct Effects (c’ path) and Psychosocial Factor-Mediated Indirect Effects (a and b paths) of the Social Environment on Mental Health in African Americans.
(A) Perceived stress and depressive symptoms, but not discrimination, jointly mediated the relationship between SSS-community and mental health (Effect = 0.643, SE = 0.128, 95% CI: 0.397, 0.891). (B) Perceived stress, depressive symptoms and discrimination jointly mediated the relationship between SSS-US and mental health (Effect = 0.790, SE = 0.140, 95% CI: 0.519, 1.068). (C) Perceived stress, depressive symptoms and discrimination jointly mediated the relationship between social support and mental health (Effect = 0.476, SE = 0.037, 95% CI: 0.403, 0.549). SE = standard error; SSS = subjective social status. *P < .05; **P < .01.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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