Is the Black-White Mental Health Paradox Consistent across Gender and Psychiatric Disorders?

Abstract

This study assessed whether the Black-White mental health epidemiological paradox (i.e. Blacks' lower or similar rates of mental disorder relative to Whites) extends across 12 lifetime and past-year psychiatric disorders and varies by gender. We used data from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (NCS-R) and National Survey of American Life (NSAL), 2001-2003 (N=4,584 African Americans; 6,668 non-Hispanic Whites). Results showed overwhelming evidence of the paradox across lifetime and past-year disorders for women and men. In addition, Blacks' mental health advantage over Whites widened after adjusting for socioeconomic factors. There was one exception: Black women experienced higher risk of lifetime post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to White women. These findings provide strong evidence for the "Black-White mental health paradox"; however, additional research is needed to understand Black women's heightened risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).