Structural Stress and Otherness: How Do They Influence Psychological Stress?

Abstract

Background: This study represents the initial steps in researching the cultural distress model and explores the cumulative layering of stressors that place the patient at risk for cultural distress, including structural stress and otherness. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive correlational analysis of intersecting identities (Structural Stressors), ethnicity-related stressors (Otherness) and ethnic-identity (Otherness) on psychological stress. Participants were also asked to define the word culture. Results: Results indicated that structural stressors did not significantly influence on psychological stress but were associated with perception of discrimination. The experience of otherness significantly influenced psychological stress. Discussion: Given the association between structural stress and perceived discrimination, additional research and tool development is needed to better understand how structural stressors influence psychological stress. Participant definitions of culture fell into two primary themes: Collectiveness and Individualness, indicating that the way we live is influenced by shared experiences, yet also a product of individual choices.

Prioritized Research for the Prevention, Treatment, and Reversal of Chronic Disease: Recommendations From the Lifestyle Medicine Research Summit

“…Notably, it is important to create better understanding, definition and dissemination of a framework for understanding, research, and practice that distinguishes "stress" from the "stress response" (113,(123)(124)(125). In this regard, there are emerging molecular studies in the MBT field that tie into the lifestyle medicine research priorities described above (Figure 1).…”

“…The current COVID-19 pandemic has occurred in the context of stress associated with issues of political, socioeconomic, and racial divisions that is unusual in both scope and intensity (125). Perhaps at no time in recent memory has the ability of individuals, families, and communities to recognize and proactively address mental, physical, and emotional adverse effects from these "acute" catastrophes (COVID-19 illness, mortality, social and economic effects) and "chronic" life-shortening institutional biases (racism, poverty, social disparities) been more needed.…”

Resisting the muddy notion of the ‘Inclusionary Other’: A re/turn to the philosophical underpinnings of Othering's construction

“…Its corollary, Exclusionary Othering, “utilizes the power within relationships for domination and subordination” (Canales, 2000, p.16). This argument Canales puts forward is built on the premise of the Other being one who is “different from self” (Canales, 2000, p.16) and has seen some concerning uptake within the nursing literature in recent years (Alpers, 2016; DeWilde & Burton, 2017; DeWilde et al, 2019; Haupt, 2015; Kempenaar & Shanmugam, 2018; Jacob & Holmes, 2011; Jackson et al, 2011; Roberts & Schiavenato, 2017; Shea & Gagnon, 2015; Valderama‐Wallace & Apesoa‐Varano, 2019; Woolsey & Narruhn, 2018). The notion of Inclusionary Othering puts the practice of Othering in focus, built on the construction of the Other as different‐from‐oneself.…”

Reporting Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault: A Mixed Methods Study of Concerns and Considerations Among College Women of Color

“…Structural stress is the burden created by living within socially constructed systems or social structures that disadvantage or marginalize some aspect or aspects of identity (Murry et al, 2018). Experiencing structural stress has been correlated with increased perception of discrimination, psychological stress in relationships, social withdrawal, and self-blame and has been shown to influence health outcomes, including myocardial infarction, low birthweight, diabetes, and chronic pain disorders (Bailey et al, 2017; DeWilde et al, 2019; Molina et al, 2016). Women of color may experience significant structural stress as a result of encounters with ongoing experiences of discrimination, implicit bias, and “othering” in daily life (Liu & Kawachi, 2017).…”