Instructions

For this assignment, you read the article written by Buzi, Smith, and Weinman (2014) located under your weekly resources. These authors used a chi-square analysis to analyze the data from their research study.   

Now, write a summary of the research, including background information on the topic, the main hypotheses, methods, results, and the conclusions drawn by the researchers. In addition to this summary, be sure to address the following in your paper:

• Describe the variables used in the analysis, along with the level of measurement (i.e., nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio) for each variable.
• Explain why the researchers used chi-square to analyze the data. In other words, how does the level at which each variable is measured determine which analysis is appropriate?  Please support your answer to this question using the course materials or other scholarly resources.
• Did the authors use a diverse group of participants (e.g., various ages, races, etc.) in their research? You should describe some characteristics of the sample used in the research.

Length:2-4 pages

Your paper should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course by providing new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards.

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Screening for Depression Among Minority

Young Males Attending a Family Planning
Clinic

Buzi, Ruth S.
Smith, Peggy B.
Weinman, Maxine L.

PSYCHOLOGY OF MEN & MASCULINITY; JAN 2014, 15 1, p116-p119, 4p.

EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING FOUNDATION-AMERICAN
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC

15249220

10.1037/a0031574

Journal

young males
depression
request for services

English

000330845600016

Copyright (c) Clarivate Analytics Web of Science

Social Sciences Citation Index

Screening for Depression Among Minority

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Young Males Attending a Family Planning
Clinic / BRIEF REPORT

By: Ruth S. Buzi
Population Program, Baylor College of Medicine;
Peggy B. Smith
Population Program, Baylor College of Medicine
Maxine L. Weinman
Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston
Acknowledgement: This project was funded in part by the Texas Department of State
Health Services (TDSHS), the Office of Population Affairs/Office of Family Planning
(OPA/OFP) Department of Health and Human Service, and the McGovern Foundation.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is recognized as one of the most common chronic
conditions today. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2012),
approximately 2 million adolescents, or 8.0% of the population ages 12 to 17, had at least
one major depressive episode during 2010. A recent report by the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2012) indicates that one in five American
adults aged 18 or older, or 45.6 million, people had mental illness in the past year. The rate
of mental illness was twice as high among those 18–25 (29.8%) than among those aged 50
and older (14.3%).

Males experience more persistent depressive symptoms and disorders from adolescence
into adulthood than females (Dunn & Goodyer, 2006; Colman, Wadsworth, Croudace, &
Jones, 2007). Non-Hispanic African American males tend to have the highest rates of MDD
at 13.2%, followed by Hispanics or Latinos (12.7%) and then non-Hispanic Whites (8.7%)
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2012). Depression among minority
adolescents and young adults was found to be related to stress, lack of social resources,
and low socioeconomic status (Brown, Meadows, & Elder, 2007). Risk factors for African
American men’s depression include economic strain, interpersonal conflicts, and racial
discrimination (Watkins, Green, Rivers, & Rowell, 2006). Hispanic and African American

Listen American Accent

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males also display significantly earlier onset of MDD compared with their White
counterparts (Riolo, Nguyen, Greden, & King, 2005).

Despite the fact that males also suffer from depression, they seek mental help from health
care professionals less frequently than females, which only further decreases the likelihood
of diagnosing their mental health disorders (Addis & Mahalik, 2003; Smith, Braunack-Mayer,
& Wittert, 2006). Males often feel pressured to avoid emotional expression, conceal
weaknesses and vulnerability, and solve problems without requesting the help of others
(Rochlen, McKelley, & Pituch, 2006). That pressure to be “masculine” may explain why men
more readily than women express anger and irritability when depressed (Winkler, Pjrek, &
Kasper, 2005).

Previous studies have found a strong association between somatic symptoms and
depression (Saluja et al., 2004; Haug, Mykletun, & Dahl, 2004). Research also has
indicated males who experience physical symptoms of depression are more likely to seek
medical attention (Ferrin, Gledhill, Kramer, & Garrada, 2009). The National Institute of
Mental Health has reported males are not always aware of symptoms of depression, which
include physical issues such as headaches, stomach problems, and chronic pain (Harvard
Medical School, 2011).

Family planning clinics provide access to reproductive health services to males. This can
provide an opportunity to assess and address their mental health needs. However, research
on mental health needs of males in these settings is scant. The purpose of this study was to
assess depression among young males attending a family planning clinic and whether
depression varied by sociodemographics and service requests. This study can begin to fill
the gaps and provide some useful information for future studies and interventions targeting
this understudied population.

Method

Participants
The study included a convenience sample of 535 African American and Hispanic young
males who attended a family planning clinic with designated hours for males ages 13–25.
The sample reflects the profile of clients receiving services at the clinic. The clinic is located

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in an inner-city neighborhood in a large city in the southwest United States. The clinic
provides low-cost to free comprehensive family planning and reproductive health services to
indigent adolescents and young adults who reside in the inner city. Services provided
include reproductive health screening related to puberty development, immunization status,
abuse history, mental health, substance abuse history, sexual health risk assessment,
screening and treatment for a sexually transmitted disease (STD), and risk reduction
counseling. Males come to the clinic mainly for STD testing and treatment. Informed
consent was obtained before data collection. Parental consent for clinical services is
solicited but not required from minors serviced at Title X–funded clinics.

The study included 535 African American and Hispanic young males. Their mean age was
20.07, SD = 2.64, range 14–27. Three hundred fifty-three (66.0%) were African American,
and 182 (34.0%) were Hispanic. The majority, 482 (92.2%), were single. One hundred sixty-
five (31.0%) were fathers. Two hundred forty-three (46.6%) were in school, and 67.2% had
graduated high school or were in college. A total of 196 (36.6%) young males were
employed, and 124 (23.7%) had health insurance. Three hundred sixty-one (67.7%)
reported they came for STD testing or treatment, and 247 (46.3%) reported they came for a
check-up.

Procedure
Participants were recruited to the study during their visit to the family planning clinic on male
designated days. Recruitment to the study took place only on the designated days for
males. Males who came on other days were not recruited to the study. The sample reflects
approximately 61% of the males seen during the study period at the clinics. A clinic staff
member explained that the purpose of the study was to better understand the needs of
young males who access family planning services. Informed consent was obtained before
data were collected. To protect participants’ confidentiality, they completed the
questionnaires in a private room. The staff member was also available to clarify answers to
any questions. The Institutional Review Board of the affiliated institution approved the study.

Measures
Depression

Depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale

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(CES-D) (Radloff, 1977). The CES-D consisted of 20 questions pertaining to depressive
symptoms, prefaced with “How often have you felt this way during the past week?”
Respondents were asked to rate items such as depressed mood, feelings of worthlessness,
feelings of hopelessness, loss of appetite, poor concentration, and sleep disturbance.
Possible scores ranged from 0 to 60, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive
symptoms. A score of 16 or higher indicated a depressive disorder. In cases with
unanswered items, the Radloff scoring procedure was used to rescore each case to match
the standard CES-D score. Participants who had more than one missing score on any of the
20 items were excluded from the analysis.

Sociodemographic characteristics

The measures for sociodemographic characteristics included age, ethnicity, school status,
owning health insurance, marital status, fatherhood status, and employment status.

Service Requests
Males were given a list of 20 services and asked if they wanted to know more about any of
these areas. The list included services to assist with health screenings, relationships, anger
management, eating well and exercising, employment, and education.

Results

Sociodemographic Characteristics
Of the 535 young males who participated in the study, 119 (22.2%) met criteria for a
depressive disorder. Chi-square analyses were conducted to compare the depressed and
nondepressed males based on sociodemographic characteristics. The results indicated
Hispanic males were more depressed than African American males (28.6% vs. 19.0%, χ =
6.38, df = 1, n = 535, p = .011). No other sociodemographic characteristics distinguished
depressed and nondepressed males (see Table 1). Ethnic differences were also examined
with regard to sociodemographic characteristics. Employment was the only demographic
characteristic that was statistically significant. Hispanics were more likely to be employed
than African Americans (42.9% vs. 33.4%, χ = 4.59, df = 1, n = 535, p = .032).

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Socio-Demographic by Depression

Request for Services
Of the 20 services, 10 showed significant statistical differences between depressed and
nondepressed males. Depressed males requested services related to STD prevention,
getting along with family and partners, getting a job, working out, eating well, being
depressed/feeling down, testicular cancer, college applications/loans, vasectomies, and
emergency contraception (see Table 2).

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Interest in Services by Depression

Discussion

This study assessed depression and the associations between depression,
sociodemographics, and service requests among young minority males attending a family
planning clinic. A little over 20% of the men in this sample met criteria for depression.
Depression was higher among Hispanic males than African American males. This finding is
inconsistent with other studies that have shown higher rates of depression among African
American males than Hispanic males. Risk factors for depression among Hispanics include
ethnic Microaggressions, a form of everyday, interpersonal discrimination that can increase
feelings of depression and sickness (Huynh, 2012). Findings indicated depressed males
were more likely to express interest in services. These service requests related to
relationships, feelings, financial resources, physical issues, and well-being. Interest in
physical issues was consistent with interest indicated in previous studies. These studies
found that African American individuals focus more on somatic and physical symptoms to
express depression (Kennard et al., 2006).

Although the young males in the study did not attend the family planning clinic for mental
health services, when given the opportunity, they acknowledged issues related to
depression. Data suggest that minorities with depression are more likely to seek care for
mental health problems from primary care providers rather than from mental health
specialists (National Prevention Council, 2011). As young males are now included in family
planning clinics, screening them for depression may be an important aspect of
comprehensive health assessments. Although these clinics cannot provide continuous
mental health care, they can screen and link males with the appropriate care.

This study had limitations related to its cross-sectional design and reliance on one self-
reported instrument. The study also did not inquire about accessing mental health services.
However, the findings of the initial assessment suggested that because males have limited
access to health care services, they need to be screened for depression in settings they
frequent. Additionally, young males may be more receptive to acknowledging mental health
issues in family planning clinics because these clinics may be perceived as less
stigmatizing than mental health settings. To further our understanding of the extent and

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nature of depression among young males, more studies will be required. Multiple
approaches may contribute to a better understanding of cultural and developmental aspects
related to mental health care issues among young males. Focus groups with young minority
males attending family planning clinics have shown to contribute to an in-depth
understanding of unmet needs, challenges and barriers related to their physical and mental
well-being (Buzi & Smith, in press).

References
Addis, M. E., & Mahalik, J. R. (2003). Men, masculinity, and the contexts of help-seeking.
American Psychologist, 58, 5–14. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.58.1.5

Brown, J. S., Meadows, S. O., & Elder, G. H. (2007). Race-ethnic inequality and
psychological distress: Depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood.
Developmental Psychology, 43, 1295–1311. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.43.6.1295

Buzi, R. S., & Smith, P. B. (in press). Access to sexual and reproductive health care
services: Young men’s perspectives. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy.

Colman, I., Wadsworth, M., Croudace, T., & Jones, P. (2007). Forty-year psychiatric
outcomes following assessment for internalizing disorder in adolescence.

Dunn, V., & Goodyer, I. M. (2006). Longitudinal investigation into childhood–and
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Submitted: August 26, 2012 Revised: December 13, 2012 Accepted: December 15, 2012

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Source: Psychology of Men & Masculinities. Vol. 15. (1), Jan, 2014 pp. 116-119)
Accession Number: 2013-05712-001
Digital Object Identifier: 10.1037/a0031574

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