Racist Experiences and Health Outcomes: An Examination of Spirituality as a Buffer

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to extend the research body, which implicates the insidious effects of racism on health outcomes. Specifically, this study tested the assumption that perception of racist experiences would predict differently for self-report symptoms (Symptom Checklist-90-Revised) compared to an objective measure of health (cardiovascular [CV] reactivity to standard laboratory stressors). It was also hypothesized that the cultural variable spirituality would moderate this relation. A total of 155 undergraduate students of African descent from a historical Black university in the mid-Atlantic region were recruited to participate in the current study. Perceived racist experiences and racial stress were commonly associated with negative health symptoms and showed an inverse relation to the CV responses. In addition, spirituality served as a significant moderator between racial stress and negative psychological health symptoms. Several implications are discussed in light of these findings.

Racial Discrimination and Racial Identity as Risk or Protective Factors for Violent Behaviors in African American Young Adults

“…Experiences with racial discrimination during a time when a number of psychological and social changes occur can be daunting. Youth transitioning into young adulthood who perceive that society devalues their racial group may act out by engaging in violent behavior as a way to cope with stressful racial experiences.Experiences of racial discrimination and racism have not been explicitly examined in studies of violence among African American youth despite a growing literature supporting the deleterious mental and physical effects of discriminatory experiences on African American adults (Anderson, 1989;Bowen-Reid & Harrell, 2002;Clark, Anderson, Clark, & Williams, 1999;Dion, Dion, & Pak, 1992;Miller & Kaiser, 2001;Smedley, Stith, & Nelson, 2002;Williams et al, 1999). Among ethnic minority youth, determining the relationship between cultural factors as risk for or protective against socially problematic behaviors is an emerging research area that should recognize that perceptions of racial discrimination is important in explaining youth violent behavior.…”

Factors influencing dietary fat intake among black emerging adults

“…As already described, due to the practice of using religious terms interchangeably, studies pertaining to religion, religiosity, spirituality, and religious commitment are included. In general, researchers have found the above-mentioned religious variables to be significant protective factors (Allen et al, 2013;Bowen-Reid & Harrell, 2002;Ellison, & Henderson, 2011;Hill, Burdette, & Idler, 2011;Joshi et al, 2009;Kilbourne, Cummings, & Levine, 2011;Larson & Larson, 2003;McDougle et al, 2013;Pargament, 1997). Individuals with greater levels of religion, religiosity, spirituality, and/or religious commitment reported better mental and physical health outcomes compared to individuals with less levels.…”

“…In general, researchers have found religious variables (e.g., religious commitment) to be significant protective factors for one's health (Allen et al, 2013;Bowen-Reid & Harrell, 2002;Ellison, & Henderson, 2011;Hill, Burdette, & Idler, 2011;Joshi et al, 2009;Kilbourne, Cummings, & Levine, 2011;Larson & Larson, 2003;McDougle et al, 2013;Pargament, 1997). However, in this study, participants with high religious commitment and high perceived stress had high dietary fat intake scores compared to those with low religious commitment scores.…”

Womanist Preservation: An Analysis of Black Women ’s Spiritual Coping

“…Bowen-Reid and Harrell (2002) argued that the unparalleled health disparities between Black and White Americans are situated in the context of racism. Countless mainstream messages of culture-related illnesses, cognitive inferiority, and mental and behavioral pathologies continue to stunt access and desirability of treatment options among Blacks.…”

“…In an effort to underscore the dire effects of this sinkhole Bowen-Reid and Harrell (2002) researched the combination of racism and health, stating that, "Given the prevalence of life-threatening illnesses and Graham diseases among African Americans, it is important that scholars continue to investigate those factors that mitigate poor health outcomes" (p. 21). Using a sample of undergraduates (N = 155) the researchers focused on spirituality as an intermediary.…”