A rural African American faith community's solutions to depression disparities.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore how a rural African American faith community would address depression within their congregations and the community as a whole. DESIGN AND SAMPLE A qualitative, interpretive descriptive methodology was used. The sample included 24 participants representing pastors, parishioners interested in health, and African American men who had experienced symptoms of depression in a community in the Arkansas Delta. MEASURES: The primary data sources for this qualitative research study were focus groups. RESULTS: Participants identified three key players in the rural African American faith community who can combat depression the Church, the Pastor/Clergy, and the Layperson. The roles of each were identified and recommendations for each to address depression disparities in rural African Americans. CONCLUSIONS: The recommendations can be used to develop faith-based interventions for depression targeting the African American faith community.