The protective power of social connectedness: Individual vs. community influences on psychological distress in middle-aged Black adults.

BACKGROUND

Social connectedness is a crucial determinant of mental health, yet its effects on Black adults remain understudied, particularly in distinguishing between individual and community-level influences. This study examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between social connectedness and psychological distress among Black adults at the individual- and neighborhood (census tract) levels.

METHODS

Using data from the MIDUS (Midlife in the United States) study, we analyzed 897 Black adults aged 25-74 from an urban setting. Social connectedness was measured across six dimensions: neighborhood social cohesion, social integration, support from family and friends, contribution to the community, and spirituality. After extensive model diagnostics, we employed cluster-robust errors to account for clustering by census tracts. We constructed cross-sectional and longitudinal models using these cluster-robust errors with inverse probability weighting to address attrition, examining individual and census-level effects on psychological distress in immediate and long-term contexts.

RESULTS

In 10-year longitudinal analyses, family support (β = -1.95, 95 % CI = -3.01, -0.90) and friend support (β = -1.09, 95 % CI = -1.66, -0.52) showed significant protective effects against psychological distress. Cross-sectional analyses confirmed protective relationships for neighborhood social cohesion (β = -2.19, 95 % CI = -3.10, -1.28), family support (β = -1.97, 95 % CI = -2.77, -1.16), and friend support (β = -0.74, 95 % CI = -1.40, -0.07). Census-level social connectedness measures were not significantly associated with psychological distress in longitudinal models.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the primacy of individual-level social connections in protecting against psychological distress among Black adults. Mental health interventions should prioritize strengthening personal and family-centered social support networks while incorporating community engagement components for long-term benefits.