Understanding barriers to healthy behaviors in black college men

Mental health disorder symptom prevalence and rates of help-seeking among University-Enrolled, emerging adults

Objective. Examine mental health symptom prevalence and rates of campus services utilization among Black male, White male and Black female college students. Participants. 2500 students from an ongoing, student survey at a public university; launched in 2011. Methods. Measures included data for anxiety and depressive symptoms and utilization of campus health services (counseling center, health services, etc.). Descriptive analyses determined prevalence and utilization rates. Mann Whitney U tests compared prevalence. Chi-squared tests compared utilization rates. Results. Anxiety prevalence: greater than 60% of students from each ethnic group reported symptoms; reporting rates decreased significantly for Black men (49.6%); p < 0.001. Depression prevalence: greater than 80% reported symptoms; there were significant differences in reporting between Black men and Black women (72.7% vs. 87.1%, p < 0.001). Utilization: Black men utilized counseling services less than White men (20.4% vs. 37.8%, p = 0.024). Conclusion. Black men report depressive and anxiety symptoms but underutilize campus health resources.

Exercise stages of change and barriers among undergraduates at a historically black university

Objective: To investigate exercise stages of change (SOC) and physical barriers among undergraduates at an Historically Black University (HBCU) and quantify their relationship. Participants: A total of 326 undergraduate HBCU students; 198 were females (body mass index (BMI) range 16.5-87.9; M = 26.5 ± 6.8) and 127 were males (BMI range 18.0-49.3; M = 26.4 ± 5.7). Methods: Students voluntarily completed a three-section survey: demographic questions, Exercise SOC, and Barriers to Being Active Quiz (BBAQ). Results: An ANOVA determined significant differences (p < . 001) between the means for each SOC for lack of time, social influence, lack of energy, lack of willpower, and lack of skill. Significant differences (p < . 001) existed between SOC and BBAQ score, as well as number of important barriers. Conclusions: HBCU interventions should address time management, energy, motivation, social support, and skill development to promote exercise and reduce barriers, especially among Black women.

Risk, Protective, and Associated Factors of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms and Campus Health Services Utilization Among Black Men on a College Campus

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to analyze relationships among social and environmental determinants serving as risk, protective, and important covariate factors for mental health risk and help-seeking among Black men on a college campus.

METHODS

A secondary data analysis was conducted utilizing an ongoing, campus-wide survey at a large, urban, public university. Measures included depressive and anxiety symptoms; campus service utilization; risk factors (e.g., financial status); protective factors (social support/religiosity); and additional covariates (substance use/GPA). Multiple linear regressions were conducted to examine relationships between these factors, symptoms and help-seeking.

RESULTS

Data is included for 681 students. Findings indicated that stressful life events were associated with higher levels of anxiety symptoms (B = 0.39, p < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (B = 0.33, p = 0.013). Cannabis use (B = 1.14, p = .020) was also associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. We found that financial status (B = 0.21, p = 0.041) was positively associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and endorsement of religiosity was associated with lower levels anxiety (B = - 0.23, p = 0.019) and depressive symptoms (B = - 0.32, p = 0.035). Religiosity predicted lower utilization of campus health services.

CONCLUSIONS

The key findings indicated that Black men's mental health is negatively influenced by stressful live events and cannabis use. As religiosity was associated with lower levels of symptoms and utilization, it may be beneficial to assess this in future work. Further research is needed to address and improve mental health and help-seeking among these men.

Black College Women and the Health of Black College Men

The purpose of this study was to understand the influence Black college women have on the health behaviors of Black men. Using the Health Belief Model and the socioecological model as guides, focus groups and interviews were conducted with Black college men (n = 35) and Black college females (n = 25) at a Historically Black College and University in the Southern United States. Participants provided responses to questions on what impacts their health behaviors and whose health they influence. Results indicate that Black college men believed Black peer women influence decisions they make regarding their diet, physical activity, and general health behaviors. However, Black college women believe they only influenced physical activity and sexual health in Black college men. While they understood they had some influence on their health, the women were unsure if they had long-term influence. These findings highlight the need for programming that informs young Black women on the important role they play in the health of men in their lives, particularly young Black men. These findings also highlight the need for peer health educator training to cross-train educators on health issues of all gender groups.