Racial Differences in Prevalence of Phobic Disorders

Abstract

Few community-based field studies have examined racial differences in the prevalence of phobia disorders. Using data from two sites of a large epidemiologic survey, this study investigates risk factors associated with the one-month prevalence of phobia disorders from 2340 black and 3936 white respondents. Findings indicate that recent prevalence is higher for blacks than whites, with racial differences remaining even when demographic and socioeconomic factors are held constant. Additional significant risk factors for recent phobia pertained to site and being female, being young, and having low education attainment.