Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Youth and Adolescence 4/2015

01-04-2015 | Empirical Research

Racial Microstressors, Racial Self-Concept, and Depressive Symptoms Among Male African Americans During the Transition to Adulthood

Auteurs: Steven M. Kogan, Tianyi Yu, Kimberly A. Allen, Gene H. Brody

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Youth and Adolescence | Uitgave 4/2015

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

Racial discrimination is a pervasive stressor that can undermine mental health among African American youth and young adults. Several studies identify links between racial discrimination and depressive symptoms; however, this research base does not focus on male African American youth who experience significant racism-related stress during the transition to young adulthood. Moreover, few prospective studies consider significant confounding variables that affect exposure to and perception of discriminatory treatment. In response to this need, we examined the effect of exposure to racial discrimination from ages 16 to 18 on depressive symptoms among male African Americans at age 20. Racial self-concept, one’s sense of positivity about one’s race, was examined as a mediator and self-control as a moderator. Hypotheses were tested with 222 participants, age 16 at baseline and age 20 at the endpoint. Participants provided self-report data at five time points. Exposure to racial discrimination from ages 16 to 18 predicted depressive symptoms at age 20, net of confounding influences. Racial self-concept mediated this effect. Self-control moderated the influence of discrimination on racial self-concept. This study underscores the salience of racial discrimination in the development of depressive symptoms among African American male youth and the clinical utility of interventions targeting racial pride and self-control.
Literatuur
go back to reference Aquilino, W. S. (2006). Family relationships and support systems in emerging adulthood. In J. J. Arnett & J. L. Tanner (Eds.), Emerging adults in America: Coming of age in the 21st century. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Aquilino, W. S. (2006). Family relationships and support systems in emerging adulthood. In J. J. Arnett & J. L. Tanner (Eds.), Emerging adults in America: Coming of age in the 21st century. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
go back to reference Boatright, S. R. (2009). The Georgia County Guide (28th ed.). Athens, GA: Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development. Boatright, S. R. (2009). The Georgia County Guide (28th ed.). Athens, GA: Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development.
go back to reference Brody, G. H., Chen, Y.-F., Murry, V. M., Ge, X., Simons, R. L., Gibbons, F. X., et al. (2006). Perceived discrimination and the adjustment of African American youths: A five-year longitudinal analysis with contextual moderation effects. Child Development, 77, 1170–1189. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2006.00927.x.CrossRefPubMed Brody, G. H., Chen, Y.-F., Murry, V. M., Ge, X., Simons, R. L., Gibbons, F. X., et al. (2006). Perceived discrimination and the adjustment of African American youths: A five-year longitudinal analysis with contextual moderation effects. Child Development, 77, 1170–1189. doi:10.​1111/​j.​1467-8624.​2006.​00927.​x.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Brody, G. H., Ge, X., Conger, R., Gibbons, F. X., Murry, V. M., Gerrard, M., et al. (2001). The influence of neighborhood disadvantage, collective socialization, and parenting on African American children’s affiliation with deviant peers. Child Development, 72, 1231–1246. doi:10.1111/1467-8624.00344.CrossRefPubMed Brody, G. H., Ge, X., Conger, R., Gibbons, F. X., Murry, V. M., Gerrard, M., et al. (2001). The influence of neighborhood disadvantage, collective socialization, and parenting on African American children’s affiliation with deviant peers. Child Development, 72, 1231–1246. doi:10.​1111/​1467-8624.​00344.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Chao, R. C.-L., & Green, K. E. (2011). Multiculturally Sensitive Mental Health Scale (MSMHS): Development, factor analysis, reliability, and validity. Psychological Assessment, 23, 876–887.CrossRefPubMed Chao, R. C.-L., & Green, K. E. (2011). Multiculturally Sensitive Mental Health Scale (MSMHS): Development, factor analysis, reliability, and validity. Psychological Assessment, 23, 876–887.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Cole, D. A., Jacquez, F. M., Truss, A. E., Pineda, A. Q., Weitlauf, A. S., Tilghman-Osborne, C. E., et al. (2009). Gender differences in the longitudinal structure of cognitive diatheses for depression in children and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65, 1312–1326. doi:10.1002/jclp.20631.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed Cole, D. A., Jacquez, F. M., Truss, A. E., Pineda, A. Q., Weitlauf, A. S., Tilghman-Osborne, C. E., et al. (2009). Gender differences in the longitudinal structure of cognitive diatheses for depression in children and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65, 1312–1326. doi:10.​1002/​jclp.​20631.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed
go back to reference Cross, W. E., Jr., Ponterotto, J. G., Casas, J. M., Suzuki, L. A., & Alexander, C. M. (1995). The psychology of nigrescence: Revising the Cross model. Handbook of multicultural counseling (pp. 93–122). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Cross, W. E., Jr., Ponterotto, J. G., Casas, J. M., Suzuki, L. A., & Alexander, C. M. (1995). The psychology of nigrescence: Revising the Cross model. Handbook of multicultural counseling (pp. 93–122). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
go back to reference Dishion, T. J., & Connell, A. (2006). Adolescents’ resilience as a self-regulatory process: Promising themes for linking intervention with developmental science. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1094, 125–138. doi:10.1196/annals.1376.012.CrossRefPubMed Dishion, T. J., & Connell, A. (2006). Adolescents’ resilience as a self-regulatory process: Promising themes for linking intervention with developmental science. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1094, 125–138. doi:10.​1196/​annals.​1376.​012.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Elliott, D. S., Ageton, S. S., & Huizinga, D. (1985). Explaining delinquency and drug use. Beverly Hills, CA: Siegel. Elliott, D. S., Ageton, S. S., & Huizinga, D. (1985). Explaining delinquency and drug use. Beverly Hills, CA: Siegel.
go back to reference Gibbons, F. X., O’Hara, R. E., Stock, M. L., Gerrard, M., Weng, C.-Y., & Wills, T. A. (2012). The erosive effects of racism: Reduced self-control mediates the relation between perceived racial discrimination and substance use in African American adolescents. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102, 1089–1104. doi:10.1037/a0027404.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed Gibbons, F. X., O’Hara, R. E., Stock, M. L., Gerrard, M., Weng, C.-Y., & Wills, T. A. (2012). The erosive effects of racism: Reduced self-control mediates the relation between perceived racial discrimination and substance use in African American adolescents. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102, 1089–1104. doi:10.​1037/​a0027404.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed
go back to reference Harrell, S. P. (2000). A multidimensional conceptualization of racism-related stress: Implications for the well-being of people of color. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 70, 42–57. doi:10.1037/h0087722.CrossRefPubMed Harrell, S. P. (2000). A multidimensional conceptualization of racism-related stress: Implications for the well-being of people of color. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 70, 42–57. doi:10.​1037/​h0087722.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Hatzenbuehler, M. L., Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Erickson, S. J. (2008). Minority stress predictors of HIV risk behavior, substance use, and depressive symptoms: Results from a prospective study of bereaved gay men. Health Psychology, 27, 455–462.CrossRefPubMed Hatzenbuehler, M. L., Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Erickson, S. J. (2008). Minority stress predictors of HIV risk behavior, substance use, and depressive symptoms: Results from a prospective study of bereaved gay men. Health Psychology, 27, 455–462.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Holmbeck, G. N., Crossman, R. E., Wandrei, M. L., & Gasiewski, E. (1994). Cognitive development, egocentrism, self-esteem, and adolescent contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 23, 169–193. doi:10.1007/BF01537444. Holmbeck, G. N., Crossman, R. E., Wandrei, M. L., & Gasiewski, E. (1994). Cognitive development, egocentrism, self-esteem, and adolescent contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 23, 169–193. doi:10.​1007/​BF01537444.
go back to reference Johns, M., Inzlicht, M., & Schmader, T. (2008). Stereotype threat and executive resource depletion: Examining the influence of emotion regulation. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 137, 691–705. doi:10.1037/a0013834.CrossRef Johns, M., Inzlicht, M., & Schmader, T. (2008). Stereotype threat and executive resource depletion: Examining the influence of emotion regulation. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 137, 691–705. doi:10.​1037/​a0013834.CrossRef
go back to reference Kessler, R. C., Mickelson, K. D., & Williams, D. R. (1999). The prevalence, distribution, and mental health correlates of perceived discrimination in the United States. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 40, 208–230. doi:10.2307/2676349.CrossRefPubMed Kessler, R. C., Mickelson, K. D., & Williams, D. R. (1999). The prevalence, distribution, and mental health correlates of perceived discrimination in the United States. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 40, 208–230. doi:10.​2307/​2676349.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Kogan, S. M., & Brody, G. H. (2010). Linking parenting and informal mentor processes to depressive symptoms among rural African American young adult men. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 16, 299–306. doi:10.1037/a0018672.CrossRefPubMed Kogan, S. M., & Brody, G. H. (2010). Linking parenting and informal mentor processes to depressive symptoms among rural African American young adult men. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 16, 299–306. doi:10.​1037/​a0018672.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Kogan, S. M., Brody, G. H., Molgaard, V. K., Grange, C., Oliver, D. A. H., Anderson, T. N., et al. (2012). The Strong African American Families-Teen trial: Rationale, design, engagement processes, and family-specific effects. Prevention Science, 13, 206–217. doi:10.1007/s11121-011-0257-y.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed Kogan, S. M., Brody, G. H., Molgaard, V. K., Grange, C., Oliver, D. A. H., Anderson, T. N., et al. (2012). The Strong African American Families-Teen trial: Rationale, design, engagement processes, and family-specific effects. Prevention Science, 13, 206–217. doi:10.​1007/​s11121-011-0257-y.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed
go back to reference Kogan, S. M., Yu, T., Allen, K. A., Pocock, A., & Brody, G. H. (2014). Pathways from racial discrimination to multiple sexual partners among male African American adolescents. Psychology of Men and Masculinity. doi:10.1037/a0037453. Kogan, S. M., Yu, T., Allen, K. A., Pocock, A., & Brody, G. H. (2014). Pathways from racial discrimination to multiple sexual partners among male African American adolescents. Psychology of Men and Masculinity. doi:10.​1037/​a0037453.
go back to reference Matthews, D. D., Hammond, W. P., Nuru-Jeter, A., Cole-Lewis, Y., & Melvin, T. (2013). Racial discrimination and depressive symptoms among African-American men: The mediating and moderating roles of masculine self-reliance and John Henryism. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 14, 35–46. doi:10.1037/a0028436.CrossRef Matthews, D. D., Hammond, W. P., Nuru-Jeter, A., Cole-Lewis, Y., & Melvin, T. (2013). Racial discrimination and depressive symptoms among African-American men: The mediating and moderating roles of masculine self-reliance and John Henryism. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 14, 35–46. doi:10.​1037/​a0028436.CrossRef
go back to reference Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129, 674–697.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129, 674–697.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed
go back to reference Miller, G. E., Chen, E., & Parker, K. (2011). Psychological stress in childhood and susceptibility to the chronic diseases of aging: Moving toward a model of behavioral and biological mechanisms. Psychological Bulletin, 137, 959–997. doi:10.1037/a0024768.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed Miller, G. E., Chen, E., & Parker, K. (2011). Psychological stress in childhood and susceptibility to the chronic diseases of aging: Moving toward a model of behavioral and biological mechanisms. Psychological Bulletin, 137, 959–997. doi:10.​1037/​a0024768.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed
go back to reference Nebbitt, V., Mapson, A., & Robinson, A. (2011). Factor structure and expression of depressive symptoms in a community sample of African American adolescents living in urban public housing. In A. J. Lemelle, W. Reed, & S. Taylor (Eds.), Handbook of African American health (pp. 129–144). New York: Springer.CrossRef Nebbitt, V., Mapson, A., & Robinson, A. (2011). Factor structure and expression of depressive symptoms in a community sample of African American adolescents living in urban public housing. In A. J. Lemelle, W. Reed, & S. Taylor (Eds.), Handbook of African American health (pp. 129–144). New York: Springer.CrossRef
go back to reference Pratt, L. A., & Brody, D. J. (2008, September). Depression in the United States household population: 2005–2006. In NCHS Data Brief (No. 7). Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pratt, L. A., & Brody, D. J. (2008, September). Depression in the United States household population: 2005–2006. In NCHS Data Brief (No. 7). Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
go back to reference Rush, A. J., Wisniewski, S. R., Zisook, S., Fava, M., Sung, S. C., Haley, C. L., et al. (2012). Is prior course of illness relevant to acute or longer-term outcomes in depressed out-patients? A STARD report. Psychological Medicine, 42, 1131–1149. doi:10.1017/S0033291711002170.CrossRefPubMed Rush, A. J., Wisniewski, S. R., Zisook, S., Fava, M., Sung, S. C., Haley, C. L., et al. (2012). Is prior course of illness relevant to acute or longer-term outcomes in depressed out-patients? A STARD report. Psychological Medicine, 42, 1131–1149. doi:10.​1017/​S003329171100217​0.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Sanders-Phillips, K., Settles-Reaves, B., Walker, D., & Brownlow, J. (2009). Social inequality and racial discrimination: Risk factors for health disparities in children of color. Pediatrics, 124(Suppl 3), S176–S186. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-1100E.CrossRefPubMed Sanders-Phillips, K., Settles-Reaves, B., Walker, D., & Brownlow, J. (2009). Social inequality and racial discrimination: Risk factors for health disparities in children of color. Pediatrics, 124(Suppl 3), S176–S186. doi:10.​1542/​peds.​2009-1100E.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Seaton, E. K., Upton, R., Gilbert, A., & Volpe, V. (2013). A moderated mediation model: Racial discrimination, coping strategies, and racial identity among Black adolescents. Child Development, 85, 882–890. doi:10.1111/cdev.12122.CrossRefPubMed Seaton, E. K., Upton, R., Gilbert, A., & Volpe, V. (2013). A moderated mediation model: Racial discrimination, coping strategies, and racial identity among Black adolescents. Child Development, 85, 882–890. doi:10.​1111/​cdev.​12122.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Seaton, E. K., Yip, T., Morgan-Lopez, A., & Sellers, R. M. (2012). Racial discrimination and racial socialization as predictors of African American adolescents’ racial identity development using latent transition analysis. Developmental Psychology, 48, 448–458. doi:10.1037/a0025328.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed Seaton, E. K., Yip, T., Morgan-Lopez, A., & Sellers, R. M. (2012). Racial discrimination and racial socialization as predictors of African American adolescents’ racial identity development using latent transition analysis. Developmental Psychology, 48, 448–458. doi:10.​1037/​a0025328.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed
go back to reference Sellers, R. M., Caldwell, C. H., Schmeelk-Cone, K. H., & Zimmerman, M. C. (2003). Racial identity, racial discriminiation, perceived stress, and psychological distress among African American young adults. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 44, 302–317. doi:10.2307/1519781.CrossRefPubMed Sellers, R. M., Caldwell, C. H., Schmeelk-Cone, K. H., & Zimmerman, M. C. (2003). Racial identity, racial discriminiation, perceived stress, and psychological distress among African American young adults. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 44, 302–317. doi:10.​2307/​1519781.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Sellers, R. M., Copeland-Linder, N., Martin, P. P., & Lewis, R. L. H. (2006). Racial identity matters: The relationship between racial discrimination and psychological functioning in African American adolescents. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 16, 187–216. doi:10.1111/j.1532-7795.2006.00128.x.CrossRef Sellers, R. M., Copeland-Linder, N., Martin, P. P., & Lewis, R. L. H. (2006). Racial identity matters: The relationship between racial discrimination and psychological functioning in African American adolescents. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 16, 187–216. doi:10.​1111/​j.​1532-7795.​2006.​00128.​x.CrossRef
go back to reference Sellers, R. M., Smith, M. A., Shelton, J. N., Rowley, S. A. J., & Chavous, T. M. (1998). Multidimensional model of racial identity: A reconceptualization of African American racial identity. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 2, 18–39. doi:10.1207/s15327957pspr0201_2.CrossRefPubMed Sellers, R. M., Smith, M. A., Shelton, J. N., Rowley, S. A. J., & Chavous, T. M. (1998). Multidimensional model of racial identity: A reconceptualization of African American racial identity. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 2, 18–39. doi:10.​1207/​s15327957pspr020​1_​2.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Shih, J. H., Eberhart, N. K., Hammen, C. L., & Brennan, P. A. (2006). Differential exposure and reactivity to interpersonal stress predict sex differences in adolescent depression. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 35, 103–115. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp3501_9.CrossRefPubMed Shih, J. H., Eberhart, N. K., Hammen, C. L., & Brennan, P. A. (2006). Differential exposure and reactivity to interpersonal stress predict sex differences in adolescent depression. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 35, 103–115. doi:10.​1207/​s15374424jccp350​1_​9.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Simons, R. L., Chen, Y.-F., Stewart, E. A., & Brody, G. H. (2003). Incidents of discrimination and risk for delinquency: A longitudinal test of strain theory with an African American sample. Justice Quarterly, 20, 827–854. doi:10.1080/07418820300095711.CrossRef Simons, R. L., Chen, Y.-F., Stewart, E. A., & Brody, G. H. (2003). Incidents of discrimination and risk for delinquency: A longitudinal test of strain theory with an African American sample. Justice Quarterly, 20, 827–854. doi:10.​1080/​0741882030009571​1.CrossRef
go back to reference Williams, D. R., Neighbors, H. W., & Jackson, J. S. (2003). Racial/ethnic discrimination and health: Findings from community studies. American Journal of Public Health, 93, 200–208. doi:10.2105/AJPH.93.2.200. Williams, D. R., Neighbors, H. W., & Jackson, J. S. (2003). Racial/ethnic discrimination and health: Findings from community studies. American Journal of Public Health, 93, 200–208. doi:10.​2105/​AJPH.​93.​2.​200.
go back to reference Wills, T. A., Ainette, M. G., Stoolmiller, M., Gibbons, F. X., & Shinar, O. (2008). Good self-control as a buffering agent for adolescent substance use: An investigation in early adolescence with time-varying covariates. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 22, 459–471. doi:10.1037/a0012965.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed Wills, T. A., Ainette, M. G., Stoolmiller, M., Gibbons, F. X., & Shinar, O. (2008). Good self-control as a buffering agent for adolescent substance use: An investigation in early adolescence with time-varying covariates. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 22, 459–471. doi:10.​1037/​a0012965.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed
go back to reference Wills, T. A., Murry, V. M., Brody, G. H., Gibbons, F. X., Gerrard, M., Walker, C., et al. (2007). Ethnic pride and self-control related to protective and risk factors: Test of the theoretical model for the Strong African American Families program. Health Psychology, 26, 50–59. doi:10.1037/0278-6133.26.1.50.CrossRefPubMed Wills, T. A., Murry, V. M., Brody, G. H., Gibbons, F. X., Gerrard, M., Walker, C., et al. (2007). Ethnic pride and self-control related to protective and risk factors: Test of the theoretical model for the Strong African American Families program. Health Psychology, 26, 50–59. doi:10.​1037/​0278-6133.​26.​1.​50.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Zimmerman, B. J. (2000). Attaining self-regulation: A social cognitive perspective. In M. Boekaerts, P. R. Pintrich, & M. Zeidner (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation (pp. 13–40). Maryland Heights, MO: Academic Press.CrossRef Zimmerman, B. J. (2000). Attaining self-regulation: A social cognitive perspective. In M. Boekaerts, P. R. Pintrich, & M. Zeidner (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation (pp. 13–40). Maryland Heights, MO: Academic Press.CrossRef
Metagegevens
Titel
Racial Microstressors, Racial Self-Concept, and Depressive Symptoms Among Male African Americans During the Transition to Adulthood
Auteurs
Steven M. Kogan
Tianyi Yu
Kimberly A. Allen
Gene H. Brody
Publicatiedatum
01-04-2015
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Youth and Adolescence / Uitgave 4/2015
Print ISSN: 0047-2891
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-6601
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-014-0199-3

Andere artikelen Uitgave 4/2015

Journal of Youth and Adolescence 4/2015 Naar de uitgave