NCJ Number
224111
Journal
Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: 2008 Pages: 322-342
Date Published
2008
Length
21 pages
Annotation
Extending previous research, this study examined predictors of major depression among African-American and White women convicted of a felony drug offense.
Abstract
A very high proportion of the women in the sample (44 percent) met the diagnostic screening criteria for having experienced a major depressive disorder within the past 12 months. However, the rates of depression were found to vary considerably by race, with more than half (55 percent) of the White women meeting the criteria for major depression within the past year compared with 37 percent of African-American women. With few demographic differences found between African-American and White women who were depressed or not depressed, an unanticipated finding was that African-American women with higher incomes were significantly more likely to be depressed. Chronic health problems were associated with major depression in both groups, but African-American women were less likely than White women to be receiving prescribed psychotropic drugs. The high rates of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) documented underscore the need for screening, assessment, and treatment of co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders among women involved in all dispositions of the criminal justice system. Most women in the criminal justice system are drug-involved, and although African-American women are disproportionately arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for drug-related offenses, little is known about their mental health. This study examined factors associated with depression in 78 community-dwelling African-American and White women previously convicted of a felony drug offense. Tables, references