Citation
Miller, Paula K. & Weller, Bridget E. (2019). It's Not Just About Income: Uncovering Profiles of Capital to Explore Depression Across Racial Groups. Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association. New York, NY.Abstract
Capital is the one of the most studied correlates of depression. However, research that explores the impact of capital on depression is often limited by conceptualizations of capital that only include one or two indicators. In addition, research has found conflicting results about the relationship between capital and depression across racial groups. In this study, we use Bourdieusian theory to identify profiles of capital based on participant’s economic, social, and cultural capital. In addition, we explore whether the composition of these profiles differ by race. Finally, we explore whether specific profiles are associated with the likelihood that individuals will experience depression. This study analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, a nationally representative study of U.S. individuals. A subpopulation of the sample was used, which comprised of 4,339 Black and White respondents aged 24-32 from Wave IV. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to address aims one and two. Aim three was addressed using logistic regression. Results suggest the presence of five profiles comprised of discrete arrangements of economic, social, and cultural capital. Two of these profiles existed at the extremities of the capital spectrum, encompassing participants with the highest and lowest overall access to capital. Participants in the “elevated overall capital” profile were more likely to be black, and more likely to be depressed. Participants in the “limited overall capital” profile were more likely to be white and less likely to be depressed. However, three intermediary profiles also emerged that demonstrated mixed access to capital across racial groups. These profiles also had varied correlations with depression outcomes, indicating the need for more nuanced measures of capital in future studies of depression.Reference Type
Conference proceedingBook Title
Annual Meeting of the American Sociological AssociationAuthor(s)
Miller, Paula K.Weller, Bridget E.