Shifting Can Be Stressful for African American Women: A Structural Mediation Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 364-387
Author(s):  
Glenn Gamst ◽  
Leticia Arellano-Morales ◽  
Lawrence S. Meyers ◽  
Dylan G. Serpas ◽  
Jessica Balla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Future Research ◽  
American Women ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Race Related Stress

The present study was designed to examine shifting, the phenomenon of altering or modifying one’s self-presentation in different social contexts, as a mediator of the predictive effects of African American women’s acculturation on their perceived race-related stress. To explore this issue, measures of African American acculturation, shifting, and race-related stress were examined within a structural model. The current study quantitatively examined the relationships of these variables among a sample of 366 African American women. Results of a structural equation model indicated full mediation; greater levels of immersion in African American acculturation resulted in greater levels of shifting, which, in turn, generated increased levels of race-related stress. These data extend previous work and expand the literature regarding African American women’s shifting. Implications for clinical work and future research with African American women are also discussed.

Gender as a Moderator of the Relation between Race-Related Stress and Mental Health Symptoms for African Americans

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tawanda M. Greer ◽  
Adrian Laseter ◽  
David Asiamah
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
African American ◽  
African American Women ◽  
African American Men ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
American Women ◽  
Stress Appraisals ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Race Related Stress

The present study tested gender as a moderator of the relationship between race-related stress and mental health symptoms among African American adults. Because African American women are exposed to stressors associated with race and gender, we hypothesized that African American women would have higher levels of race-related stress and more severe mental health outcomes related to experiences of race-related stress compared to African American men. Multivariate analyses revealed that African American men had higher stress appraisals for institutional racism than did women. No significant gender differences were found for cultural and individual racism. Moderated regression analyses revealed that increases in stress appraisals for individual racism were associated with increases in anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms for African American women. Race-related stress had no significant effects on mental health symptoms for African American men. The findings suggest that gender is an important factor in determining the impact of race-related stress on mental health.

scholarly journals Active coping moderates associations among race-related stress, rumination, and depressive symptoms in emerging adult African American women

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 1817-1835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Labarron K. Hill ◽  
Lori S. Hoggard
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
African American ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Active Coping ◽  
John Henryism ◽  
American Women ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Race Related Stress

AbstractCross-sectional and longitudinal research has shown that race-related stress is associated with increased depressive symptoms among racial/ethnic minorities. Rumination has long been considered a maladaptive self-regulatory response to race-related stress, and growing evidence suggests that it may be an important link in the relation between race-related stress and depression. More adaptive forms of self-regulation, such as active coping, may counteract the negative impact of rumination. We examined the influence of rumination on the relation between race-related stress and depressive symptoms in a sample (N= 69) of young adult (mean age = 20 ± 1.5 years) African American women. We also considered the possible moderating effects of John Henryism, a form of persistent and determined goal striving, and vagally mediated heart rate variability, a purported biomarker of coping. Anticipatory race-related stress was indirectly associated with depressive symptoms through rumination: estimate = 0.07, 95% confidence interval [0.01, 0.16]. Both John Henryism and vagally mediated heart rate variability moderated the relationship between race-related stress and rumination; however, only John Henryism reliably influenced the indirect association between race-related stress and depression through rumination. We discuss these findings in the context of growing research examining the interplay between cultural and biological factors in the risk for poorer mental health.

The character of womanhood: How African American women’s perceptions of womanhood influence marriage and motherhood

Ethnicities ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 512-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra Chaney
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
African American Women ◽  
White Women ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Black Feminist ◽  
American Women ◽  
Written Responses ◽  
The Family ◽  
Women’S Perceptions

This qualitative paper will focus on how black women understand and perceive womanhood, and will explore how black women’s perceptions regarding womanhood shape their attitudes and behaviours toward marriage and motherhood. Using a black feminist approach, I assert that black women’s perceptions of womanhood are not based on European notions as the family structure and experiences of African American women is characteristically different from that of white women. Further, I assert that African American women create a modified version of womanhood based on their education, social class and economic position in relation to black men, and which may, in turn, inform their decisions regarding marriage and motherhood. Specifically, I examine the written responses of fifteen African American women between the ages of 18 and 55 (mean age of 32.6 years) regarding what is expected of them as women. Qualitative analyses of the data revealed that womanhood was defined in terms of feminine attitudes (strength, sensitivity and sensuality) and feminine behaviours (familial care, their own physical appearance and self-respect). In addition, womanhood was demonstrated through a woman’s ability to care for her home and to take the lead in the absence of male leadership. Supporting qualitative data are presented in connection with each theme. Recommendations for future research are also provided.

scholarly journals Surviving the Storm

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 1601-1618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thema Bryant-Davis ◽  
Sarah E. Ullman ◽  
Yuying Tsong ◽  
Robyn Gobin
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
African American ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
African American Female ◽  
Sexual Assault Survivors ◽  
American Women ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression

African American women are at high risk for sexual assault. In addition, many African American women endorse the use of social support and religiosity to cope with trauma. The current study investigates the relationship between these two coping strategies and posttrauma symptoms in a sample of 413 African American female sexual assault survivors using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Findings indicated that survivors with greater social support were less likely to endorse the symptoms of depression and PTSD. Conversely, increased use of religious coping was related to greater endorsement of depression and PTSD symptoms. Counseling and research implications are explored.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of DNA Methylation and Preterm Birth in African American Women

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Barcelona de Mendoza ◽  
Michelle L. Wright ◽  
Comfort Agaba ◽  
Laura Prescott ◽  
Alexandra Desir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
African American ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
American Women ◽  
Study Designs

Background: The causes of many cases of preterm birth (PTB) remain enigmatic. Increased understanding of how epigenetic factors are associated with health outcomes has resulted in studies examining DNA methylation (DNAm) as a contributing factor to PTB. However, few studies on PTB and DNAm have included African American women, the group with the highest rate of PTB. Methods: The objective of this review was to systematically analyze the existing studies on DNAm and PTB among African American women. Results: Studies ( N = 10) were limited by small sample size, cross-sectional study designs, inconsistent methodologies for epigenomic analysis, and evaluation of different tissue types across studies. African Americans comprised less than half of the sample in 50% of the studies reviewed. Despite these limitations, there is evidence for an association between DNAm patterns and PTB. Conclusions: Future research on DNAm patterns and PTB should use longitudinal study designs, repeated DNAm testing, and a clinically relevant definition of PTB and should include large samples of high-risk African American women to better understand the mechanisms for PTB in this population.

Does African American Women’s Racial Identity Mediate Gendered Racism on Anticipated Relationship Threat?

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051987230
Author(s):  
Giana N. Young ◽  
Glenn Gamst ◽  
Lawrence S. Meyers ◽  
Aghop Der-Karabetian ◽  
Cheryl T. Grills
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Racial Identity ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Gendered Racism ◽  
American Women ◽  
Relationship Threat ◽  
Multicultural Assessment ◽  
The Relationship

The present study examined the question of whether racial identity among African American women mediated the relationship between gendered racism and anticipated relationship threat. Using the Multicultural Assessment Intervention Process (MAIP) framework, we examined the relationship of gendered racism, racial identity, and anticipated relationship threat among a convenience sample of 411 African American women. A structural model was configured with gendered racism directly predicting anticipated relationship threat and racial identity serving as a mediator. Results indicated that greater levels of perceived gendered racism were associated with greater perceptions of anticipated relationship threat. Racial identity was found to not mediate the association with anticipated relationship threat. Individuals with less education experienced higher levels of concern regarding physical safety and controlling behaviors than those with more education. Implications for future relationship threat research with African American women are discussed.

scholarly journals The Experience of African-American Women with Multiple Sclerosis

2020 ◽  
pp. 0000-0000
Author(s):  
Alexa Stuifbergen ◽  
Heather Becker ◽  
Carolyn Phillips ◽  
Shalonda Horton ◽  
Janet Morrison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
African Americans ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Common Belief ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
American Women ◽  
Health Promotion Behaviors

Abstract Background: Despite growing understanding that African-Americans may have a more aggressive course of multiple sclerosis (MS) and experience disparities in diagnosis and treatment, fewer studies have examined how African-Americans experience MS and its impact on their lives. This study explored the experience of African American women living with MS in order to inform future research and practice. Methods: Face-to face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 African-American women. Inductive content analysis was used to identify major categories and sub-categories. Results: The analyses yielded three major categories: No one could believe I had MS; It's tough living with MS; and You have to keep going. Many women reported that the MS diagnosis was a surprise to them and their doctors because of the common belief that MS is a “Caucasian disease.” For this reason, many women felt their diagnosis had been delayed while their physicians initially focused on other diseases considered more typical in African-Americans. Living with losses related to social and family activities, independence and employment was especially challenging for them. Faith in God, coming to grips with the diagnosis and health promotion behaviors were key strategies for dealing with their MS. Women also spoke of pushing forward, working through MS challenges, and taking care of themselves, thus preserving their identity as strong Black women, a culturally important construct in the African-American community. Conclusions: Future research should explore the interactions of culture with coping strategies and the development of useful and valued resources and supports for African-Americans with MS.

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