The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of long-term financial strain on depression in a sample of unmarried African American mothers. Financial strain is a health issue, and a significant indicator of disability, cardiovascular disease, and depression. The deleterious outcomes of financial strain are a significant mental health issue, as the incidence and prevalence of depression among persons with low incomes is higher than the normal population. Minorities groups are at a higher risk for living with financial strain, and thus at greater risk for psychological distress. African American women are also at a higher risk than males, with nearly 40% of unmarried African American mothers lacking the resources necessary to cover basic needs for their family. Utilizing data from a multi-site, large-scale longitudinal study, a growth curve analysis suggests that unmarried African American women caregivers who initially had significant unmet material needs, who were unable to make ends meet, and who had significant financial cutbacks had high initial levels of depression. As economic pressures had a significant impact on depression for unmarried African American mothers, financial services organizations and professionals should include considerations for mental health perspectives along with financial health in their efforts to better serve this population.
Author(s): Jesse Jurgenson, Joseph Kim, Angelica Jasper, Daniel Russell, Carolyn Cutrona, Arnaldo Mont'Alvao
