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Panic disorder among African Americans, Caribbean blacks and non-Hispanic whites

Abstract

Introduction  

This study investigated co-morbidities, level of disability, service utilization and demographic correlates of panic disorder
(PD) among African Americans, Caribbean blacks and non-Hispanic white Americans.

Methods  

Data are from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) and the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (NCS-R).

Results  

Non-Hispanic whites are the most likely to develop PD across the lifespan compared to the black subgroups. Caribbean blacks
were found to experience higher levels of functional impairment. There were no gender differences found in prevalence of PD
in Caribbean blacks, indicating that existing knowledge about who is at risk for developing PD (generally more prevalent in
women) may not be true among this subpopulation. Furthermore, Caribbean blacks with PD were least likely to use mental health
services compared to African Americans and non-Hispanic whites.

Conclusion  

This study demonstrates that PD may affect black ethnic subgroups differently, which has important implications for understanding
the nature and etiology of the disorder.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Category Original Paper
  • Pages 1-13
  • DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0582-x
  • Authors
    • Debra Siegel Levine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; 500 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
    • Joseph A. Himle, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; 500 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
    • Robert Joseph Taylor, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; 500 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
    • Jamie M. Abelson, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; 500 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
    • Niki Matusko, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; 500 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
    • Jordana Muroff, Boston University, 1 Silber Way, Boston, MA 02215, USA
    • James Jackson, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; 500 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA