Stress Among African American Women in Detroit

University of Michigan: Prevention Research Center of Michigan

Topics:
Community Health

Researchers are studying the long-term effects of stress among African American women who live in Detroit’s eastside neighborhoods. The daily stressors these women encounter include insufficient income, child care, transportation, and social support. The project, in collaboration with the Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center, aims to identify strategies to improve the health status of these women. Initial results from community surveys, focus groups, and neighborhood interviews with over 650 African American women indicate that women with high levels of daily stress report poorer health and increased symptoms of depression. The report also indicates that having material resources is more important for the women in improving health status and depression than is having emotional support. Researchers continue to collect information while working with the center’s East Side Village Health Worker Program to address the neighborhood’s needs.

 

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