Exploring the Influence of Coping Strategies on Depression Scores Among Black Men in Maryland: Implications for Black Men in the Caribbean Diaspora.

Background: While research on coping strategies among Black men is extensive, insufficient attention has been given to understanding how coping strategies impact the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores among Black men in the state of Maryland. Objectives: This study investigates coping strategies and their impact on depression scores, with a specific focus on the Caribbean context within Maryland's diverse Black male population. Given the various Caribbean ethnic groups present in Maryland, exploring coping strategies becomes important for comprehending mental health disparities. This study sought to provide a comprehensive examination of coping strategies and their implications for depression scores, with an emphasis on Caribbean Black Americans. Methods: Secondary data analyses were conducted using the coping strategy analysis questionnaire conducted in Maryland in 2021–2022. The sample includes 125 Black men aged 18–75 years who completed the survey electronically. Findings: The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between avoidant coping and PHQ-9 scores, indicating higher depression scores associated with increased use of avoidance coping. Conversely, a negative relationship is observed between problem-focused coping and PHQ-9 scores, suggesting lower depression scores among those employing problem-focused coping. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for further research on the intersection of culture and race in the coping strategies of Black men with depression in Maryland, with particular attention to the Caribbean context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]