BACKGROUND: Few studies examine older African Americans' beliefs and attitudes toward depression, yet this population is more likely than other ethnic groups to be underdiagnosed and undertreated for depression.OBJECTIVE: To examine the beliefs and attitudes about depression in a sample of community-dwelling older African Americans.STUDY DESIGN:A qualitative approach embedded within a survey design was used. The sample included 51 community-dwelling African Americans older than age 60 who were recruited from a northeast state. Participants' descriptions of the meaning of depression were analyzed using editing analysis style.RESULTS: Four major themes emerged from the data: (a) Keeping the Bully Out, (b) God Will Provide, (c) Losing Control, and (d) That's Not Me.CONCLUSIONS:These data can assist mental health nurses in understanding older African Americans' beliefs and attitudes toward depression. Culturally sensitive educational programs, reminiscence interventions, and suggestions to assist with screening for depression in this population are discussed. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc, 2007; 13(4), 230-236.
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