Religion, acculturation, and incarceration: determinants of substance use among Hispanic adults in the United States

Religion and Mental Health in Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations: A Review of the Literature

Religion has been an important source of resiliency for many racial and ethnic minority populations. Given the salience, sociohistorical context, and importance of religion in the lives of black and Latino Americans, this literature review focuses on the mental health and well-being outcomes of religion among black and Latino Americans across the adult life course and specifically in later life. This review provides an overview of religious participation and religiosity levels and an in-depth discussion of extant research on the relationship between the multiple dimensions of religiosity and mental health in these 2 populations. Racial differences between blacks, Latinos, and non-Latino whites are also examined. Suggestions for limitations of the current literature and future directions for research on religion and mental health in racial/ethnic minority populations, especially older minorities, are proposed.

Comorbidity of Lifetime Alcohol Use Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder in San Juan, Puerto Rico

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to update estimates of comorbidity between lifetime alcohol use disorder (AUD) severity and lifetime major depressive disorder (MDD) in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

METHOD

Data are from a household random sample of 1,510 individuals (816 female) 18-64 years of age in San Juan, Puerto Rico. AUD and MDD identification follow criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition and Fourth Edition, respectively, both implemented with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). It is possible to implement DSM-5 AUD identification with the CIDI, but only DSM-IV criteria can be applied to identify MDD.

RESULTS

The prevalence of lifetime MDD was 11% among men, 17% among women, and 14% for both genders; the prevalence of lifetime AUD was 38% among men, 16% among women, and 26% for both genders. Among those with AUD, the rate of MDD was 17% among men and 35% among women. Among those without AUD the rate of MDD was 7% among men and 15% among women. Results of multiple logistic regression analysis controlling for gender, illegal drug use, age, level of family cohesion, religion, employment status, marital status, education, and family annual income showed that AUD severity was positively associated with the likelihood of MDD, as follows: mild AUD, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.78 (95% CI [1.09, 2.91], p < .05); moderate AUD, AOR = 2.58 (95% CI [1.33, 5.01], p < .01); and severe AUD, AOR = 3.34 (95% CI [1.70, 6.56], p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

MDD frequently occurs as a comorbid condition with AUD in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The frequency of occurrence increases as AUD severity increases. AUD treatment providers should therefore be equally prepared to treat these two comorbid conditions.

Examining Couple Functioning and Alcohol use Among Latino Couples: A Dyadic Data Analysis

BACKGROUND

Prior research suggests that Latinos are at higher risk of alcohol use as compared to their counterparts (NSDUH, 2014). However, little work has been conducted to understand alcohol use among Latinos systemically and more research is needed to better understand the impact of couple functioning on alcohol use among Latino couples.

OBJECTIVES

The current study aimed to examine how each partner's perception of couple functioning impacted alcohol use in Latino dyads.

METHODS

Using data from 329 Latino dyads from the Building Strong Families (BSF) Project, a structural equation model examining the actor-partner interactions between partner perceptions of couple functioning and each person's alcohol use was analyzed.

RESULTS

Correlation analysis revealed that the dyad's perceptions of couple functioning were positively correlated. Results from the APIM model indicated male's perceptions of couple functioning was positively associated with his own alcohol use, whereas female's perceptions of couple functioning was not significantly related to either partner's alcohol use. Conclusions/Importance: The findings may help clinicians, researchers, and policy makers to better conceptualize how couple functioning may impact alcohol use among Latino dyads.

Depressive Symptoms, Substance Use and Partner Violence Victimization Associated with HIV Disclosure Among Men Who have Sex with Men

HIV continues to disproportionately affect men who have sex with men (MSM). Depression and substance use have been shown to be risk factors of partner violence among male same-sex couples. However, research exploring the risk factors for partner violence victimization after HIV disclosure among MSM is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the association between depressive symptoms, substance use, and disclosure-associated verbal and/or physical violence from a partner among MSM. Data were obtained from 340 HIV-positive MSM. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the associations between Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression and substance use scores, and disclosure-associated partner violence. After adjusting for age and income, every one-unit increase in substance use scores resulted in a 9 % (OR 1.09; 95 % CI 1.01-1.16) increase in the odds of disclosure-associated partner violence. HIV disclosure interventions for MSM populations should address substance use and potential violence from partners after disclosure.

A nationwide assessment of asthma-mental health nexus among veterans

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we evaluated the association between both current and lifetime asthma to that of mental illness among veterans in the USA.

METHODS

We utilized the 2005-2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data, a national population-based survey in the USA. Mental illness was defined as past year major depressive episode and doctor diagnosis of depression. Survey-weighted univariate and multivariable regression analyses were utilized. A total of 20,581 veterans were included in the study.

RESULTS

A 4.00% and 7.50% prevalence of current and lifetime asthma were noted among veterans, respectively. A significantly higher prevalence of major depressive episode was noted among veterans with current asthma (8.23%), as compared to those without (4.68%), with a similar trend noted among those with lifetime asthma versus those without (7.84% vs. 4.58%). Doctor diagnosis of depression among veterans was higher among those with current asthma (11.83% vs. 5.86%) and lifetime asthma (10.32% vs. 5.76%), as compared to those without asthma. Upon adjusting for confounders, current asthma was significantly associated with past year major depressive episode [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.65) and depression diagnosis (aOR = 1.88). Similarly, veterans with lifetime asthma, as compared to those without, had higher odds of past year major depressive episode (aOR = 1.56) and depression diagnosis (aOR = 1.66).

CONCLUSION

The asthma/mental health nexus is significant among the US veterans. Such results warrant the need for integrated care to address mental health burden among veterans with asthma.

Racial and ethnic differences in asthma and mental health among US adults: results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the racial and ethnic differences in asthma and mental health comorbidity.

METHODS

A secondary analysis of 2008-2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health was conducted, resulting in a total of 206 993 civilian adult respondents to evaluate the association between asthma and mental health (past year serious psychological distress [SPD] and doctor diagnosis of depression). Both survey weighted bivariate (chi-square) and multivariable (binary logistic) regression analyses, after accounting for control variables, were conducted to evaluate the asthma/mental health nexus. A p value of less than 0.05 was used to denote significance.

RESULTS

Current asthma was significantly associated with past year SPD for non-Hispanic Whites (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.45), Hispanics (aOR = 1.68), and Black/African Americans (aOR = 1.47). A similar association was noted for current asthma and past year doctor diagnosis of depression (non-Hispanic White aOR = 1.74; Hispanics aOR = 1.77; Black/African American aOR = 1.62). Among those with lifetime asthma, higher odds of SPD were reported for non-Hispanic Whites (aOR = 1.42), Hispanics (aOR = 1.64), and Black/African Americans (aOR = 1.50). Lifetime asthma also significantly associated with past year doctor diagnosis of depression for non-Hispanic Whites (aOR = 1.42), Hispanics (aOR = 1.41), and Black/African Americans (aOR = 1.46).

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate the significant burden of asthma and mental health comorbidity among diverse racial and ethnic groups. Improved public health efforts through promotion of integrated care for early screening and preventive measures are needed to alleviate the burden for at-risk groups.