Stressors, Intersectionality, and Mental Health Disparities

• In Event: 2145 - Health Disparity

Abstract

Mental health and access to mental health care services are patterned across race, gender, socioeconomic status and other identities in multifaceted ways. For example, theories of stratification suggest that that women, people of color, and the economically disadvantage should have poorer mental health than their respective counterparts owing to differences in social resources and power. Yet, empirical analyses do not support this supposition. Women and men do not differ in overall rates of mental disorders but the types and severity of problems vary by gender. The prevalence of non-clinical depression is similar for Blacks and Whites, but most mental disorders are more common among Whites. Both race and gender disparities in mental health diverge depending upon socioeconomic position. Mental health research has made progress in documenting the separate effects of gender and race but not their combined effects. Understanding these complexities requires acknowledging that individuals occupy multiple, intersecting structural locations that influence susceptibility and resilience to mental health problems. This paper draws upon the stress perspective and intersectionality theory to review the association between race, gender, and mental health. Consideration is also given to socioeconomic position when appropriate. Due to space and time limitations, the black-white binary is privileged over other racial/ethnic comparisons. The paper begins with an overview of race and gender differences in the prevalence of clinical and subclinical disorders. The importance of intersecting identities and gender practices for mental health are considered next. Discussions of stressors linked to major social roles, resilience resources, and access to mental health care follow. The paper concludes with a discussion of directions for future research and theory development.

Author

• Verna M. Keith, University of Alabama-Birmingham