Emotional and Somatic Distress in Eastern North Carolina: Help-Seeking Behaviors

Richard M. Bloch, Anand Pandurangi and Yekeen A. Aderibigbe

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2003, vol. 49, issue 2, 126-141

Abstract: Socio-demographic and cultural factors have been reported to shape help-seeking behavior. However, not much effort has been made to determine the effects of these factors on help-seeking among rural populations. A telephone survey using random-digit dialing was used to explore socio-demographic characteristics and ethnic differences in the types of professionals sought for unexplained somatic and emotional problems ( N = 1161) in rural eastern North Carolina. Ethnic differences in comfort with participating in support groups were also examined. The effect of a large natural disaster, Hurricane Floyd and subsequent flooding, on help-seeking choices and comfort with support groups was also assessed. Results showed that the rural population makes a sharp distinction between somatic symptoms and stress-related symptoms. This distinction seemed more pronounced for European-Americans than for African-Americans. In general African-Americans selected help-seeking from clergy more often than European-Americans, although for unexplained somatic symptoms this difference was fostered by Hurricane Floyd with its flooding. African-Americans showed markedly increased comfort with support groups after the hurricane, while European-Americans showed no changes in comfort with support groups as a function of the hurricane. The effects of Hurricane Floyd on African-Americans are interpreted as reflecting an increased salience of community support for African-Americans, significantly through the Baptist Church. Training of clergy should include recognition of stress-related somatic and emotional symptoms and the potential for an important referral role, especially following disasters.

Date: 2003
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:49:y:2003:i:2:p:126-141

DOI: 10.1177/0020764003049002006

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