Extended Family Relationships, Social Support, and Mental Health in a Southern Black Community

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Abstract
Contemporary perspectives on the black family suggest that extended family is a primary source of social support within the black community [USA]. The influences on depression of a variety of social relationships are examined, including the number of extended kin, and the perceived supportiveness of both kin and non-kin. Persons who perceive their extended kin to be more supportive report fever symptoms of depression. Number of extended kin and perceived support from non-kin are unrelated to depression. A buffering effect of extended kin support on life events is evident only among males. There is no buffering effect of social support on chronic stressor. Paradoxically, extended kin support appears to be least effective in reducing the risk of depression among young women. Implications of these results for research on the black family and social support systems are discussed.

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