“We get what we deserve”: the belief in a just world and its health consequences for Blacks

Abstract

This study explored whether individual differences in the endorsement of the belief that the world is a just place (i.e., the just world belief) would predict individual differences in resilience/vulnerability to the negative health consequences of discrimination. One-hundred and thirty Blacks participated in a vital check and completed a computer-based questionnaire that included measures of the just world belief, perceived discrimination, physical and mental health, and the presence/absence of chronic illnesses. Endorsement of the just world belief was not associated with self-reported physical/mental health; however, it moderated the effects of perceived discrimination on the number of chronic illnesses and systolic blood pressure. These findings suggest that Blacks who believe that the world is a just place where they get what they deserve may be at a particularly higher risk for the negative health consequences of discrimination. Theoretical and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Death by a Thousand Cuts: The Health Implications of Black Respectability Politics

“…Although we are the first to examine vigilant behaviors as a proxy for Black respectability politics behaviors, previous work has also identified potential negative consequences to believing in meritocratic values in the face of racial discrimination (Hagiwara, Alderson, and McCauley 2015; Kwate and Meyer 2010). Some have argued that this, too, may be an ideology held by those who endorse Black respectability politics or, at least, beliefs that may inform Black respectability politics.…”

Differential Effects of Personal-Level vs Group-Level Racial Discrimination on Health among Black Americans

“…Participants then underwent another vital check and finally participated in a physical feature assessment (eg, skin tone, nose shape, lip thickness). 33 Upon completion of the study, participants were debriefed and received $40 for their participation.…”

Families’ Experiences of Deaths After Police Contact in the United States: Perceptions of Justice and Injustice

“…Academic literature on BJW covers a wide range of issues in which justice and injustice affect an individual’s perception of their experiences. Articles focus on attitudes toward rape victims (Adolfsson & Strömwall, 2017; Egan & Wilson, 2012), health (Gruman & Sloan, 1983; Hagiwara et al, 2015), education (Faccenda & Pantaléon, 2011), the dynamics of personal relationships (Nudelman & Nadler, 2017), workplace environments (Bastounis & Minibas-Poussard, 2012), societal perceptions of refugees (Khera et al, 2014), and racist hate crimes (Sullivan et al, 2016). Research typically focuses on how BJW affects individuals’ perceptions of their experiences in relation to them being just or unjust.…”