Balm in Gilead: Racism, Religious Involvement, and Psychological Distress Among African‐American Adults

Abstract

Although a long tradition of theoretical and sociohistorical analysis has suggested that religious practices and values help African Americans in coping with the distressing sequelae of racism and discrimination, few studies have examined this issue with systematic, quantitative, empirical data. Our work contributes to the literature by: (a) outlining a series of arguments regarding the potential significance of multiple aspects of religious involvementattendance at services, church-based social support, and religious guidance in daily life-in dealing with harmful psychosocial effects of recent experiences of discrimination; and (b) testing hypotheses derived from two alternative models of the racism-religion-distress relationship using longitudinal data from a nationwide survey. Results indicate that both religious guidance and religious attendance moderate the effects of racism on psychological distress, while congregational support has a direct (but not interactive) effect on distress, thereby partly offsetting (but not buffering) the negative effects of discrimination.

Religious involvement and depressive symptoms among Mexican‐origin adults in California

“…This counterintuitive pattern suggests the possibility of a stress-exacerbating, rather than the anticipated stress-buffering, effect (e.g., Ellison, 1994;Strawbridge, Shema, Cohen, & Kaplan, 1998). Clearly such a finding contrasts with a long tradition of work among African Americans, documenting the role of religious institutions, beliefs, and practices in coping with the psychosocial fallout from discrimination, poverty, and other strains emerging from minority group experience (Bierman, 2006;Ellison et al, 2008;Schieman et al, 2005). What might account for the patterns observed here?…”

“…Among African Americans, researchers have discussed specific worship styles and behaviors, organizational practices, and theological orientations (e.g., Black liberation theology) that have emerged from the distinctive experiences of this population. Consistent with this line of argument, several studies have shown that religious attendance and/or the degree of guidance received from religious beliefs appear to buffer the effects of perceived discrimination on psychological distress (Bierman, 2006;Ellison et al, 2008).…”

“…Several recent studies have examined the role of religion and spirituality in mitigating such harmful psychological sequelae (Bierman, 2006;Ellison, Musick, & Henderson, 2008;Whitbeck, McMorris, Hoyt, Stubben, & LaFramboise, 2002). To date, much of this work has centered on African Americans.…”

Kept in His Care: The Role of Perceived Divine Control in Positive Reappraisal Coping

“…Thanks to the pioneering work of Kenneth Pargament and colleagues, social behavioral scientists are becoming increasingly aware of religion's formidable role in the coping process (Pargament 1997;Ellison and Henderson 2011;Koenig et al 2012). Studies in this field have shown, for example, that numerous dimensions of religious involvement can buffer or offset the psychosocial strains of traumatic life events (Ellison 1991), neighborhood disadvantage (Acevedo et al 2014;Krause 1998), financial hardship (Acevedo et al 2014;Krause 2003), and interpersonal conflicts such as experiences of discrimination (Bierman 2006;Ellison et al 2008). …”

Religion, Race/Ethnicity, and Norms of Intergenerational Assistance among Older Adults

“…Moreover, religious faith and practice have provided emotional strength and moral guidance for many older African Americans, assisting them via coping skills, formal and informal social support systems, and sustaining feelings of worth and dignity in the face of discrimination and economic marginality [27,28,42]. For generations, the church and the family were the only two institutions that were developed and operated by and for African Americans, largely beyond the scope of White influence.…”