Church and family support networks and depressive symptoms among African Americans: Findings from The National Survey of American Life

Aims: We examined the associations between informal social support from church members and social support from extended family members and depressive symptoms within a national probability sample of African American adults ranging in age from 18 to 93. Methods: This analysis used data from the National Survey of American Life and accounted for religious service attendance and various demographic variables that have known associations with and are consequential for mental health. Results: Frequency of contact with church and family members and emotional support from family were inversely associated with depressive symptoms, and negative church and family interactions were positively associated with depressive symptoms. Emotional support from church members, however, was unrelated to depressive symptoms. Conclusion: This study underscores the important contributions of church relationships to depressive symptoms among African Americans across the adult life span, and confirms that these associations are independent of family relationship factors and religious service attendance.