Differential Impact of Types of Social Support in the Mental Health of Formerly Incarcerated Latino Men

Miguel Muñoz-Laboy, Nicolette Severson, Ashley Perry, Vincent Guilamo-Ramos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The role of social support in the mental health of formerly incarcerated Latino men (FILM) is an issue overlooked in public health prevention efforts. The objectives of this analysis were to (a) describe the levels of social support perceived and received by FILM; (b) identify the associations, if any, between levels of social support and mental health indicators such as depression and anxiety; and (c) explore the impact of familism and hypermasculinity on the receptivity of social support and the potential role of these factors in mediating associations between social support and mental health indicators. To accomplish the objectives, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with FILM (n = 259), ages 18 to 59, in New York City, and one nominated member of their social network (n = 130 dyads). In this analysis, we examined four dimensions of social support (instrumental, informational, appraisal, and emotional) from two perspectives: provided (as reported by members of the social networks) and perceived (as reported by FILM). The major outcome variables for this analysis were the presence/absence of major anxiety and depressive symptoms. Our logistic regression analyses suggest that perceived emotional support was inversely associated with both anxiety and depression. Our findings suggest that familism mediated the association between perceived emotional support and anxiety/depression. Therefore, we must consider designing network enhancement interventions that focus on both FILM and their social support systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)226-239
Number of pages14
JournalAmerican Journal of Men's Health
Volume8
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2014

Keywords

  • Latino
  • formerly incarcerated populations
  • men
  • social support

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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