RACIAL-DIFFERENCES IN INFORMAL HELP-SEEKING FOR MENTAL-HEALTH PROBLEMS

The present study examined the hypothesis of greater African American informal help, seeking for mental health problems in a comparison of A frican Americans and Whites. Controlling for sociodemographic factors, symptom distress, and diagnosis, African Americans were less likely t han Whites to report turning for assistance to a friend, family member , or religious figure. Nor did African Americans use informal help as a substitute for professional care; they turned to informal helpers in conjunction with formal helpers, and demonstrated complementarity to a greater extent than Whites. Supportive ties found among African Amer icans may be advantageous for many purposes, but provide no benefit fo r the face-to-face discussion of emotional problems. (C) 1998 John Wil ey & Sons, Inc.