The role of perceived thought control ability in the psychological functioning of Black American mothers.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the extent to which perceived thought control ability (PTCA) promotes the psychological functioning of Black American mothers, as well as moderates the negative effects of key stressors faced by this population, including discrimination experiences, financial strain, and parenting stress. Methods: An online survey was administered to 305 Black American mothers across the U.S. Participants completed measures of PTCA, psychological well-being (life satisfaction and emotional well-being), psychological distress (depressive and anxiety symptoms), and stressors (discrimination experiences, financial strain, and parenting stress). Results: Discrimination experiences, financial strain, and parenting stress were related to higher anxiety and depressive symptoms. Financial strain and parenting stress were also related to lower life satisfaction and emotional well-being. PTCA protected against the link between discrimination experiences and depressive symptoms (β = −.15, p < .001), discrimination experiences and anxiety (β = −.15, p < .001), and parenting stress on anxiety (β = .08, p = .04). PTCA also was associated with higher life satisfaction (β =.19, p = .001) and emotional well-being (β =.42, p < .001). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that PTCA is a culturally relevant and practical psychological resource for psychological functioning among Black American mothers. Public Policy Relevance StatementBlack American mothers' experiences of discrimination, financial strain, and parenting stress were related to lower psychological health but perceived thought control ability (PTCA) promoted emotional well-being and life satisfaction and buffered the roles of discrimination and parenting stress in mental health problems, particularly anxiety. Although approaches that focus on political advocacy and large-scale structural reform are necessary to reduce cumulative stress burden faced by Black American mothers, the results imply that PTCA may serve as an individual-level approach which may reduce stressrelated psychological distress and optimize well-being in the face of disproportionate stress and oppression. aaa B lack American mothers' social location at the intersection of stigmatized gender, racial, and, for some, class status creates a unique social position that increases their vulnerability to stress exposure. For many mothers, stress related to race, socioeconomic status, and parenting places heavy demands that can tax their internal capacities, depleting the psychosocial Elizabeth Jelsma https://orcid.