This bibliography of published books and articles on informal support systems focuses on such support systems especially as they exist for blacks. Works on the elderly, the poor, and other minorities are also cited. Topics covered include family structures, community relations, child welfare, health care, and social class and economic issues. The…

This study was undertaken to develop a comprehensive data base regarding the use of informal social support networks as avenues of help-seeking among Blacks for the solving of mental health related problems. The study population consisted of 451 noninstitutionalized Black adults from Richmond, Virginia, nearly two-thirds of whom were women. The…

This study was designed to start a data base on black mental health practitioners working with black clients. The sample group consisted of 177 (57 men, 120 women) black school counselors and 36 (5 men, 31 women) psychologists in seven predominantly black, urban public schools. The information gathered covered the following areas: (1) demographics…

Critically examines the causal relationship of alcohol abuse to homicidal violence in the black communities. Identifies specific implications for further research and for developing abuse prevention strategies. Though the article focuses on black men, much of the discussion has wider applications. (LHW)

Black professionals are not playing significant roles as recipients of grants from the federal government. In addition, blacks are not adequately represented in those disciplines which receive the greatest share of research support. The funding process at the federal level is dominated by white males who control the administrative positions, as…

This document is the final report of a study conducted to determine what factors contribute to strong Black family life and how these strong families solve problems, in order to add to the knowledge base on stable families so as to enhance practical intervention with families in need, and to identify models of self-help strategies used by stable…

In order to gain insights into the nature of black social interventions in the public school system, relevant relationships between the characteristics of the social workers interviewed and significant elements of their practice were closely examined. 178 black social workers in 7 large urban school systems were interviewed. Responses to a…

Focuses on the role of religion as an agent of socialization for African Americans, with educational attainment examined as the outcome. Study of 921 Black adults indicates that religious socialization is positively related to educational attainment. (JB)

Analyzes the differences in social support available to a sample of 91 married and 183 nonmarried Black females residing in a metropolitan area. Results indicate that having a spouse has little influence on the number of socially supportive relationships or the most important sources of assistance with financial problems. (Author/ABB)

This report evaluates the implementation of a demonstration model of a father-involvement component of Head Start programs in Washington (District of Columbia). Since well over 90 percent of the children in area Head Start programs are Black, the target group for this project was Black fathers. The following recommendations for program improvement…

This study concerns the help-seeking behavior of black males as it relates to mental health and attempts to identify the day-to-day concerns and problems of black males, describe their help seeking patterns, and make suggestions for future research and policy development to improve black males' mental health. The sample was 142 black males, ages…

Though there are substantial funding resources for supporting mental health research, Black scholars have not received their fair share of the funds in this area. Both affirmative action programs and community pressure are needed to solve this problem and to place increasing numbers of Blacks in policymaking positions. (Author/GC)

Examines the relationship of depressive symptoms to demographic factors, stressful life events, and psychological coping resources among 161 African-American men aged 56 years and older. Multivariate analyses demonstrate a significant association between depression and income, stressful events, illness, mastery of the immediate environment, and…

This article reviews pertinent factors, such as the need to encourage a positive home environment, transform peer group influences, establish goals early in life, foster racial pride and awareness, use African-American culture to foster achievement, encourage a sense of self-control, initiate and expand mentor programs, and cultivate academic…

Describes the results of a study that measures the perception of discrimination among African American men (n=537) among a stratified sample. Findings indicate that African American men who are young, single, racially conscious, masculine, and exposed to daily stressors were more likely to perceive racial discrimination than men who did not fit…