Showing papers in "Journal of Black Psychology in 2014"
TL;DR: The authors examined the relationship between John Henryism, psychological distress, and well-being in a diverse sample of Black women and found that there is a negative correlation between JohnHenryism and depressive symptomatology.
Abstract: John Henryism, a construct developed to describe high effort coping, may help explain the observed health disparities between Blacks and Whites. Previous research suggests that John Henryism is associated with negative physical health factors. However, little research has focused on the relationship between John Henryism and psychological distress. Accordingly, in this exploratory study, we examined the relationships between John Henryism, psychological distress, and well-being in a diverse sample of Black women. Results indicate that there is a negative correlation between John Henryism and depressive symptomatology. This finding is in contrast to past research and suggests that John Henryism may be maladaptive to physical health but not mental health. The limitations and implications of the findings are discussed.
77 citations
TL;DR: The authors examined the relations of parental control, structure, and autonomy in British Caribbean populations, and found that the relationship between parental control and structure was positively associated with the child's well-being.
Abstract: There has been little research investigating parenting strategies and child outcomes in British Caribbean populations. This study examined the relations of parental control, structure, and autonomy...
71 citations
TL;DR: The results indicated that higher levels of general and tailored social support predicted optimism 1 year later; changes in both types of support also predicted changes in optimism over time.
Abstract: The present longitudinal study examined the role of general and tailored social support in mitigating the deleterious impact of racial discrimination on depressive symptoms and optimism in a large sample of African American women. Participants were 590 African American women who completed measures assessing racial discrimination, general social support, tailored social support for racial discrimination, depressive symptoms, and optimism at two time points (2001-2002 and 2003-2004). Our results indicated that higher levels of general and tailored social support predicted optimism one year later; changes in both types of support also predicted changes in optimism over time. Although initial levels of neither measure of social support predicted depressive symptoms over time, changes in tailored support predicted changes in depressive symptoms. We also sought to determine whether general and tailored social support "buffer" or diminish the negative effects of racial discrimination on depressive symptoms and optimism. Our results revealed a classic buffering effect of tailored social support, but not general support on depressive symptoms for women experiencing high levels of discrimination.
54 citations
TL;DR: The influence of religiosity and spirituality on psychological well-being was examined among a sample of 167 Black American women in a web-based study as discussed by the authors, which indicated direct links between both religious and spirituality and psychological wellbeing.
Abstract: The influence of religiosity and spirituality on psychological well-being was examined among a sample of 167 Black American women in this web-based study. Findings suggest direct links between both religiosity and spirituality and psychological well-being. Moreover, results from bootstrapping procedures indicated that spirituality fully mediated the relation between religiosity and global mental health and between religiosity and life satisfaction. Implications of the findings are discussed.
52 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the ecological model of racial socialization (EMRS) was tested among a sample of 207 Black college students from a predominately White Midwestern university, and the EMRS explored the relations between the racial composition of participants' social contexts and racial socialisation provided by both parent and peer sources.
Abstract: The ecological model of racial socialization (EMRS) was tested among a sample of 207 Black college students from a predominately White Midwestern university. The EMRS explored the relations between the racial composition of participants’ social contexts and racial socialization provided by both parent and peer sources. In addition, the model addressed the relations among racial socialization provided by multiple sources, color-blind racial ideology (CBRI), and mental health. Findings from hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated partial support of the EMRS. Specifically, the racial composition of participants’ neighborhood and friend group accounted for a unique amount of variance in messages about cultural pride and alertness to racism participants received from both parents and peers. Additionally, peer alertness to racism messages accounted for a significant amount of variance in both CBRI and mental health. Finally, CBRI moderated the relation between parental mainstream racial socializatio...
43 citations
TL;DR: This paper explored the presence of racial microaggressions within domestic violence shelters and to understand how women respond to them using a phenomenological approach to data collection and analysis, 14 Black women from three different shelters were interviewed.
Abstract: Racial microaggressions are often unintentional and subtle forms of racism that manifest in interpersonal communications, behaviors, or environments. The purpose of this study was to explore the presence of racial microaggressions within domestic violence shelters and to understand how women respond to them. Using a phenomenological approach to data collection and analysis, 14 Black women from 3 different shelters were interviewed. Twelve women reported experiencing at least one racial microaggression, although few identified the experience as racist. Additional themes were also examined to understand why women did not identify their experiences of racial microaggressions as racist. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
40 citations
TL;DR: This paper examined the association between racial identity and patterns of emotional responses to blatant and subtle racial discrimination vignettes in a sample of 129 African American collabuses and found that emotional responses were correlated with race identity.
Abstract: The present study examined the association between racial identity and patterns of emotional responses to blatant and subtle racial discrimination vignettes in a sample of 129 African American coll...
39 citations
TL;DR: The authors explored Black youths' Internet use, communication patterns, behavior, and victimization experiences via Internet and cell phone using a nationally representative diverse sample of 10- to 17-year-old youth.
Abstract: Using a nationally representative diverse sample of 10- to 17-year-old youth, this study explores Black youths’ Internet use, communication patterns, behavior, and victimization experiences via Internet and cell phone. Findings yielded a number of differences between Black and non-Black youth, with Black youth using the Internet with more intensity and being more likely to gain access via cell phone. Notable within-group differences emerged, including the increased rates of sexual victimization and being sent sexual images via text for girls. With age, participants tend to communicate with more people they met online. In addition, the adolescent developmental task of exploring sexuality becomes more pronounced in the 13 to 15 and 16 to 17 age groups.
35 citations
TL;DR: This article explored these constructs in a sample of 181 Black adolescents to identify protective factors that may counteract decreases in achievement in this population and found that achievement values significantly predicted engagement, and engagement significantly predicted achievement.
Abstract: The achievement gap between White and Black youth is well documented. This continuing gap becomes of particular concern in middle school because of the general decline in engagement and achievement noted in all students during this transition. Cultural explanations are typically provided for the racial achievement gap, but additional reasons should be explored to gain a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon. One such reason is the influence of parents and peers. While these influences on academic achievement, engagement, and achievement values of youth have been examined in middle school White populations, less attention has focused on Black populations. The current study explored these constructs in a sample of 181 Black adolescents to identify protective factors that may counteract decreases in achievement in this population. Results indicated that achievement values significantly predicted engagement, and engagement significantly predicted achievement. Additionally, both peer and parental infl...
31 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined a main effect of socioeconomic status (SES) and mediating effect of hopelessness in relation to acute symptoms of depression and anxiety in African American college students.
Abstract: Factors such as socioeconomic status (SES) and hopelessness, a dimension of cognitive vulnerability, have been associated with the onset of depression and anxiety pathology in primarily European American study samples. The purpose of this brief article was to examine a main effect of SES and mediating effect of hopelessness in relation to acute symptoms of depression and anxiety in African American college students. Vulnerability-stress theories suggest that cognitively vulnerable individuals are more likely to develop depressive symptoms than individuals without cognitive vulnerabilities. Participants were 133 African American college students who completed self-report measures of hopelessness and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Results revealed that the relationship between participants’ SES and participants’ symptoms of depression was partially mediated by self-reported hopelessness. The relationship between participants’ SES and anxiety symptoms was fully mediated by their level of hopelessness. H...
27 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the relation between father-reported depression, stress, and father involvement in a large, nationally representative sample of African American fathers (N = 784).
Abstract: Data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort, were used to examine the relation between father-reported depression, stress, and father involvement in a large, nationally representative sample of African American fathers (N = 784). Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that fathers who experienced fewer depressive symptoms participated in more frequent play, caregiving, and home literacy activities with their young children at 24 months. Furthermore, fathers who experienced fewer stressors engaged in more frequent play activities but not caregiving or home literacy. Notably, fathers who engaged in more frequent positive interactions (e.g., laughing and talking calmly) with their child’s mother were also more involved in play and caregiving at 24 months. Results were evident even after controlling for a host of sociodemographic characteristics. Overall, findings suggest that healthy psychological functioning coupled with positive mother-father interactions are positive predictors of fa...
TL;DR: The authors examined the available literature on the school engagement of Black immigrants and found that school engagement is an important contributor to students' academic success; however, the literature on school engagement in Black immigrants is limited.
Abstract: School engagement is an important contributor to students’ academic success; however, the available literature on the school engagement of Black immigrants is limited This study examined the assoc
TL;DR: In the simplest terms, resilience is doing better than expected, particularly given the presence of some disadvantage that threatens positive outcomes as mentioned in this paper, which is the case in the Baha'i faith.
Abstract: In the simplest terms, resilience is doing better than expected, particularly given the presence of some disadvantage that threatens positive outcomes. Like many other countries worldwide, The Baha...
TL;DR: This article investigated the impact of interviewer race on the results gleaned through psychological assessment and found that African American and European American clinical evaluators conducted face-to-face interviews with interviewers.
Abstract: Few studies have investigated the impact of interviewer race on the results gleaned through psychological assessment. African American and European American clinical evaluators conducted face-to-fa...
TL;DR: An important relationship between increased racial stress exposure and heavier BMIs is identified, a predictor of prehypertensive risk.
Abstract: This study describes the relative influence of facial skin color, lifetime exposure to racial discrimination, chronic stress, and traditional prehypertension risk factors (family history of hypertension and age) on resting blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) among 196 southern African American (AA) female undergraduate students. Stepwise regression analyses indicated that skin color was the strongest predictor of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and BMI. Skin color, chronic stress, and family history of hypertension predicted 53% of the SBP variance. Skin color, chronic stress, and family history of hypertension predicted 30.2% of the DBP variance. Racism and age were not significant predictors of SBP or DBP. Of the variance in BMI, 33% was predicted by skin color, chronic stress, and racism. Age and family history of hypertension were not predictors of BMI. The current study provides evidence of the relationship of skin color and chronic stress to blood pressure among y...
TL;DR: A total of 562 African American university students provided data on individual differences in neuroticism; coping with a recent experience being the target of prejudice, racism, and/or discriminat....
Abstract: A total of 562 African American university students provided data on individual differences in neuroticism; coping with a recent experience being the target of prejudice, racism, and/or discriminat...
TL;DR: A content analysis was conducted of research published in the Journal of Black Psychology (JBP) during a 12-year period (2000-2011) as mentioned in this paper, and the most popular areas of research and publication in the JBP were in mental health and well-being, personality and identity, culture, and physiological functioning and health psychology.
Abstract: A content analysis was conducted of research published in the Journal of Black Psychology (JBP) during a 12-year period (2000-2011). A total of 276 articles were classified into 17 content categories. Similar to the previous JBP content analysis, the most frequently published authors and institutions were identified and ranked. The most highly cited articles were also identified. In addition, gender-focused articles and articles involving racial/ethnic group comparisons were identified. The most popular areas of research and publication in the JBP were in mental health and well-being, personality and identity (i.e., racial identity), culture, and physiological functioning and health psychology. These four categories accounted for 57% of the articles published. Results of this content analysis indicate a sharp increase in research on mental health and culture, while other areas remained consistent with the previous JBP content analysis. The dearth of African-centered psychological research was also noted. ...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors employed a visual imagery paradigm to examine how racial centrality (or the significance of one's race), perpetrator race, and the racial composition of a primary community were associated with mood responses to racial discrimination vignettes.
Abstract: Studies suggest that racial identity, race of the perpetrator, and prior race-related experiences influence responses to racial discrimination. This study employed a visual imagery paradigm to examine how racial centrality (or the significance of one’s race), perpetrator race, and the racial composition of one’s primary community were associated with mood responses to racial discrimination vignettes. Participants were 129 self-identified African American young adults (55% female) recruited from a southeastern university in the United States. Participants completed measures of sociodemographic characteristics and racial centrality and rated their mood following exposure to vignettes consisting of blatant and subtle discrimination with Black and White actors. Individuals with higher racial centrality endorsed greater anger and disgust and had stronger overall mood ratings following the subtle discrimination condition. Also, participants reported significantly higher levels of distress and disgust when the p...
TL;DR: The authors found that with greater length of residence, the US context adversely affects Black immigrants (e.g., via racism-related stress) Yet, the psychological mechanisms that account for in
Abstract: Scholars maintain that with greater length of residence, the US context adversely affects Black immigrants (eg, via racism-related stress) Yet, the psychological mechanisms that account for in
TL;DR: This paper used a qualitative design informed by indigenous research methodologies to describe how indigenous African healers and their clients address Western-defined mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
Abstract: The current study used a qualitative design informed by indigenous research methodologies to describe how indigenous African healers and their clients address Western-defined mental health problems...
TL;DR: This article investigated the moderating effect of adolescents' beliefs about socialization from caregivers (attributions) on the link between racial socialization and private regard, and found that adolescents who placed more emphasis on a positive relationship quality as the purpose for receiving socialization, self-worth messages were associated with higher private regard.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the moderating effect of adolescents’ beliefs about socialization from caregivers (“attributions”) on the link between racial socialization and private regard. This research addresses the paucity of literature on adolescent attributions as a context for the relation between socialization and private regard. The independent roles of racial barrier, racial pride, and self-worth messages were examined. Adolescents’ attributions were defined as beliefs that race-based messages were coming from a parent-child relationship characterized by love, autonomy, and care. Moderation analyses on the sample of 88 African American and biracial youth (ages 11-14 years) revealed that for adolescents who placed more emphasis on a positive relationship quality as the purpose for receiving socialization, self-worth messages were associated with higher private regard. The findings support the importance of attending to adolescents’ attributions for socialization and the impact that ...
TL;DR: This paper examined the relationship among students' social achievement goals, self-efficacy, collective efficacy of classmates and teachers, and math performance and found that selfefficacy was positively associated with social achievement.
Abstract: The study is the first to examine the relationship among students’ social achievement goals, self-efficacy, collective efficacy of classmates and teachers, and math performance. In addition, the st...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined predictors of help-seeking attitudes of adolescents in the country and found that underutilization of mental health resources is a well-documented problem.
Abstract: Underutilization of mental health resources is a well-documented problem. Little is known about the help-seeking attitudes of Jamaican adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine predictors o...
TL;DR: This paper examined the factor structure and validity evidence for the Parent Experience of Racial Socialization Scale (PERS) and found four interpretable factors a factor for PERS and found that three of them were interpretable.
Abstract: This investigation examined the factor structure and validity evidence for the Parent Experience of Racial Socialization Scale (PERS). Exploratory factor analysis found four interpretable factors a...
TL;DR: The Behavioral Assessment for Children of African Heritage (BACAH) as discussed by the authors was developed using extensive African American community input, and the authors developed the BACAH assessment for children of African heritage.
Abstract: Using extensive African American community input, Black researchers developed the Behavioral Assessment for Children of African Heritage (BACAH). Information regarding its strength dimensions is pu...