Racial and Gender Discrimination in the Stress Process: Implications for African American Women's Health and Well-Being

Abstract

In recent decades, sociologists have increasingly adopted an intersectionality framework to explore and explain the complex and interconnected nature of inequalities in the areas of race, class, and gender. Using an inclusion-centered approach and a sample of 204 low-socioeconomic-status (SES) African American women, the authors theorize and explore the role of racial and gender discrimination in the stress process. Analyses examine relationships between social stressors (racial and gender discrimination) and individual stressors occurring in each of six distinct social contexts. Furthermore, the authors evaluate the effects of racial and gender discrimination as compared to individual stressors on three indicators of mental health and well-being. Findings suggest that racial and gender discrimination increases risk for poor health and low well-being, working both directly and indirectly through increased vulnerability to individual stressors. This research demonstrates the value of a more comprehensive study of stressors that influence the health of low-SES African American women and other multiply disadvantaged groups.

Whose Stress is Making Me Sick? Network-stress and Emotional Distress in African-American Women

“…This finding has particular validity when contextualized within a framework for how social networks of African-Americans influence health (e.g., Berkman & Glass, 2000;George, 1988). These findings also add to the growing body of research on the importance of using raceand gender-relevant conceptualizations of stress to understand stress-related health outcomes for African-American women (Jackson et al, 2005;Perry et al, 2013;Thomas et al, 2011;Woods-Giscombé & Lobel, 2008;Woods-Giscombé, 2010).…”

“…Stressors that are inadequately managed by intrapersonal, interpersonal, or tangible resources may result in "distress," which is characterized as an aversive state that may include physical or psychological symptoms (e.g., tension, worry, weakness, or headaches) (Dohrenwend & Dohrenwend, 1974). Increased psychological distress in African-American women is influenced by the intersection of race-and gender-related stress, in addition to factors, such as 710 Downloaded by [University Of South Australia Library] at 11:07 10 October 2015 social status, that increase psychological distress in this group (Berger & Guidroz, 2010;Geronimus et al, 2006;Hamilton-Mason, Hall, & Everett, 2009;Jackson, Rowley, & Owens, 2012;Krieger, 2012;Mullings, 2006;Perry, Harp, & Oser, 2013;Thomas, Hacker, & Hoxha, 2011;Woods-Giscombé & Lobel, 2008). Research findings indicate that stress-related health outcomes in African-American women might be influenced by perceived obligations to family members, friends, and community members to present an image of strength, even in the face of stressors that are race-or gender-related, or generic (Black & Peacock, 2011;Woods-Giscombé, 2010).…”

Age impact on clinical risk factors does not justify the age related change in referral pattern for osteoporosis assessment—Data from the Aalborg University Hospital Record for Osteoporosis Risk Assessment (AURORA)

“…mental illness [30], injecting drug users [31] and in obesity [32]. There is a distinct awareness of racial and gender discriminations [33] that may reduce the clinical consequences of this but such awareness is lacking for age [7] and an influence on clinical care may explain the findings in this study. Thus, raised awareness of age discrimination in osteoporosis work-up is warranted.…”

African American Female Offender’s Use of Alternative and Traditional Health Services After Re-Entry: Examining the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations

“…60–62 African American women’s experiences of gendered racism, particularly, have been linked to increased stress and risk of poor health and wellbeing, including suicidal ideation and more significant depressive symptoms. 57,63 …”