This study utilized data from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) to investigate the use of professional services and informal support among African American and Caribbean black men with a lifetime mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder. Thirty-three percent used both professional services and informal support, 14% relied on professional…

Examined sociodemographic and religiosity factors as predictors of receipt of church-based support among a national sample (n=581) of older black Americans. Frequency of church attendance was the most important predictor of frequency and amount of support. Socioemotional support during illness was the most prevalent form of reported aid.…

Survey of familial and demographic factors on the receipt of support from family among blacks indicated that income, age, family contact, subjective family closeness, and proximity of relatives were determinants of receiving support. (Author/ABL)

Profile of demographic structure and family relationships among national sample of three-generation African-American families revealed important variation across generations in demographic (age, gender, marital status, socioeconomic status, and region) and family (affection and support) factors. One of most unique features of three-generation…

Examined the impact of family and demographic factors on the frequency of support from family members among a sample of 581 Blacks aged 55 years and above. The findings revealed that income, education, region, degree of family interaction, proximity of relatives, and having adult children were determinants of frequency of support. (Author/BL)

Reviews literature on Black families from 1980s. Looks at Black families in relation to ages, genders, and family roles; substantive issues of relevance to Black American families, including social support and psychological well-being; and an examination of recent demographic trends in Black family structure. Suggests areas for future research in…

Examined patterns of concomitant support to elderly blacks from family, friends, and church members using the National Survey of Black Americans. Eight out of 10 respondents reported receiving assistance from friends, 6 out of 10 received aid from church members, and over one-half received support from family. (Author)

This study proposed and tested a model of informal church support networks among African Americans. Consistent with research in family relations, age and gender were significantly associated with the frequency of interaction with church members. In addition, the degree of subjective closeness and the frequency of interaction were both…

Examined demographic correlates of familial and nonfamilial sources of emergency assistance among Blacks. Data from Panel Study of Income Dynamics-1980 showed both familial and nonfamilial sources of emergency assistance. Revealed age, gender, marital status, and urban-rural differences in sources of assistance. Results highlight importance of…