Symptoms of depression among blacks and whites in an urban community.

Prevalence of reported depressive symptoms among blacks and whites is examined using data from a survey (N = 3119) conducted in Alameda County, California, in 1974. Based on crude rates, depressive symptoms were more prevalent among blacks than whites. However, adjusting statistically for the effects of age, sex, education, income, marital status, and employment essentially eliminated the black/white differential. These data corroborate the results reported by Comstock and Helsing (Psychol. Med., 6: 551-563, 1976) as well as the results of several other investigations carried out in various U.S. communities.