Perceived discrimination and mental health among older African Americans: the role of psychological well-being

Yoon, Eunchul; Coburn, Corvell; Spence, Susie A.

doi:10.1080/13607863.2017.1423034

Cited by 23 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 41 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…[28] In another study, higher levels of everyday discrimination (measured continuously) were associated with worse mental health as reported on the SF36 Mental Health Component Summary. [34] Five studies found significant associations between perceived institutional racism and mental health outcomes. A study that assessed the relationship between perceived institutional discrimination and healthrelated quality of life found that increased discrimination was associated with poorer mental health, one component of the quality of life scale.…”

Section: Associations Between Racism and Mental Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Racism and Older Black Americans’ Health: a Systematic Review

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We reviewed research that examines racism as an independent variable and one or more health outcomes as dependent variables in Black American adults aged 50 years and older in the USA. Of the 43 studies we reviewed, most measured perceived interpersonal racism, perceived institutional racism, or residential segregation. The only two measures of structural racism were birth and residence in a “Jim Crow state.” Fourteen studies found associations between racism and mental health outcomes, five with cardiovascular outcomes, seven with cognition, two with physical function, two with telomere length, and five with general health/other health outcomes. Ten studies found no significant associations in older Black adults. All but six of the studies were cross-sectional. Research to understand the extent of structural and multilevel racism as a social determinant of health and the impact on older adults specifically is needed. Improved measurement tools could help address this gap in science.

show abstract

Section: Associations Between Racism and Mental Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Racism and Older Black Americans’ Health: a Systematic Review

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Everyday racism-"the various types and expression of racism experienced by ethnic groups in everyday contact with members of the more powerful (White) group" (Essed, 1990, p. 31)-predicts psychological distress (Harrell, 2000;Utsey et al, 2002;Williams et al, 2003), including higher rates of depressive symptomatology (Hammond, 2012;Powell et al, 2016;Utsey & Payne, 2000). Extant literature provides well-documented evidence of the association between everyday racism and negative psychological outcomes among Black men (Carter, 2007;Franklin, 1999;Franklin et al, 2006;Pierce, 1995;Sue, 2008;Yoon et al, 2019). Importantly, racism co-occurs with other life stressors including the stresses of work, partnership, finances, health, and home (Chung et al, 2014;Pieterse & Carter, 2007).…”

Section: Everyday Racism and General Life Stressmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although sparse, studies of Black adults have found similar relations. For example, among older Black women, a sense of purpose was inversely associated with mental health challenges (Yoon et al, 2019). Among African American women EWB has also been shown to be inversely related to depression (Lamis et al, 2014) and positively related to the use of active and effective coping strategies (Stevens-Watkins et al, 2014).…”

Section: Existential Well-being Spirituality and Pessimismmentioning

confidence: 99%

No Crystal Stair: Predictors of Pessimism Among Black Men

Palmer

Cole-Lewis

Goodwill

et al. 2020

The Journal of Men’s Studies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Social scientists have paid scant attention to factors relating to pessimism among Black American men. Drawing from Fankl’s existentialist framework, this study explored the association between life stress, everyday racism, existential well-being (EWB), religiosity and self-reported pessimism among a community sample of Black men ( n = 147). Regression analysis revealed that life stress was positively associated with pessimism, while EWB was negatively associated with pessimism. Relative weights analysis indicated that EWB had the greatest explanatory power in the model. Findings suggest that future studies of pessimism among Black American men should account for men’s sense of purpose and life stress, while also considering the potentially moderating effects of chronic and acute life stress on men’s future orientation.

show abstract

“…However, despite these additional stressors, evidence is emerging that some individuals can experience good health into older age. For example, a study of perceived discrimination and psychological well-being in African American older adults (N = 397; Age range = 65-89) found that the characteristic of 'self-acceptance', an awareness and acceptance of personal strengths and weaknesses, was shown to buffer the negative effect of discrimination on depressive symptomology, an indicator of psychological well-being (Yoon, Coburn, & Spence, 2019). Another study (Klokgieters, van Tilburg, Deeg, & Huisman, 2018a) examined the potential buffering effect of various religious activities against the negative impact of disadvantage (e.g., no/low resources) in older Turkish and Moroccan immigrants (N = 455; Age range = 55-66 years).…”

Section: Successful Aging In Racial and Ethnic Minoritiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Successful Aging in Individuals From Less Advantaged, Marginalized, and Stigmatized Backgrounds

Thoma

Gee

2019

CPE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Health and well-being in later life are heavily influenced by behaviors across the life course, which in turn are influenced by a variety of wider contextual, social, economic, and organizational factors. There is considerable potential for inequalities in health-promoting behaviors and health outcomes, arising from poverty, social, and environmental factors. This suggests that individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and circumstances may have more exposure to (chronic) stressors, coupled with reduced access to resources, and increased susceptibility to risk factors for ill-health and mental disorders in later life. This drastically decreases the likelihood for successful aging in individuals from less advantaged backgrounds. Nevertheless, despite these adverse circumstances, some high-risk, disadvantaged individuals have been shown to achieve and maintain good health and well-being into later life. This scientific update provides an overview of recently published research with samples that, against expectations, demonstrate successful aging. Favorable personality traits, cognitive strategies, and a high-level of intrinsic motivation, paired with a supportive social environment, have been found to build a prosperous basis for successful aging and positive health outcomes in later life for individuals living in aversive environmental circumstances. For clinical psychologists, the movement towards the investigation of underlying mechanisms of successful aging from a psychological perspective, particularly in disadvantaged individuals, may be a critical step towards understanding the vast heterogeneity in aging. Successful aging is possible in disadvantaged individuals. Psychological and social resilience resources may compensate for the impact of disadvantage. The application of multi-level resilience models can aid future research on successful aging. Successful aging is possible in disadvantaged individuals. Psychological and social resilience resources may compensate for the impact of disadvantage. The application of multi-level resilience models can aid future research on successful aging.

show abstract

Perceived discrimination and mental health among older African Americans: the role of psychological well-being

Cited by 23 publications

References 41 publications

Racism and Older Black Americans’ Health: a Systematic Review

Racism and Older Black Americans’ Health: a Systematic Review

No Crystal Stair: Predictors of Pessimism Among Black Men

Successful Aging in Individuals From Less Advantaged, Marginalized, and Stigmatized Backgrounds

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About