scholarly journals Gender Differences in Coping with Racism: African American Experience and Empowerment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Jacob ◽  
Monnica T. Williams ◽  
Naomi S. Faber ◽  
Sonya Faber

Black men and women encounter multiple forms of racism in American society and require numerous strategies to manage the stress associated with these experiences. This chapter reviews the current state of the literature regarding Black people and how they cope with racism. Findings demonstrate that Black people tend to cope with racism through social support, religion, avoidance, and problem-focused coping, with some gender differences in coping approaches. We also contrast functional versus dysfunctional coping approaches and underscore the importance of empowerment to promote well-being and social change. Limitations of this review include the predominance of American-based samples used in the literature, which often excludes other Black ethnic and national groups. Further, the experiences of other Black intersectional identities are not well represented in the literature and require more study as their experiences of coping with racism may differ.

2020 ◽  
pp. 40-50
Author(s):  
Michael D. Yates

As the long history, right to the present day, of police and vigilante violence against black people has shown with great clarity, the racial chasm between black and white people in the United States lives on. A few black men and women have climbed into the 1 percent, and a sizable African-American middle class now exists. But by every measure of social well-being, black Americans fare much worse than their white counterparts. Just as for the economic, political, and social distance between capitalists and workers, so too is there a differential between black and white people, for these same interconnected components of daily life continue because of the way our system is structured.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalpana Rani E

The purpose of the current study was (i) to find out the association between Perceived Social Support (PSS) and Psychological Well-Being (PWB) among young working adults and (ii) to study Gender differences in this relationship. 286 individuals volunteered to participate in the study within age range between 21 to 28 years. The sample consisted of 173 males and 113 females who were currently employed. PSS was measured using Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and PWB by Ryff’s Scale of Psychological Well-Being. The data was analysed using independent samples ‘t’ test, Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis and Regression analysis. The results indicated that PSS has a significant positive correlation with PWB indicating that the higher the level of PSS, the higher the level of PWB. Further, significant gender differences were found in PSS, with women reporting receiving more social support than men and women were also high in support from two of the three types of sources: family and friends. In addition, both men and women reported availability of higher social support from family as compared to what they can obtain from friends and significant other. No significant gender differences were found in PWB. Regression analysis indicated that PSS could significantly contribute to the prediction of PWB accounting for about twelve percent variance in it. Besides, PSS explained relatively higher variance in PWB among men as compared to women. Positive relations and self acceptance dimensions of PWB were better influenced by PSS in both men and women.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satu Viertiö ◽  
Olli Kiviruusu ◽  
Maarit Piirtola ◽  
Jaakko Kaprio ◽  
Tellervo Korhonen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Psychological distress refers to non-specific symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, and it is more common in women. Our aim was to investigate factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender differences. Methods We used questionnaire data from the nationally representative Finnish Regional Health and Well-being Study (ATH) collected in the years 2012–2016 (target population participants aged 20 +, n = 96,668, response rate 53%), restricting the current analysis to those persons who were working full-time and under 65 of age (n = 34,468). Psychological distress was assessed using the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5) (cut-off value <=52). We studied the following factors potentially associated with psychological distress: sociodemographic factors, living alone, having children under18 years of age, lifestyle-related factors, social support, helping others outside of the home and work-related factors. We used logistic regression analysis to examine association between having work-family conflict with the likelihood for psychological distress. We first performed the models separately for men and women. Then interaction by gender was tested in the combined data for those independent variables where gender differences appeared probable in the analyses conducted separately for men and women. Results Women reported more psychological distress than men (11.0% vs. 8.8%, respectively, p < 0.0001). Loneliness, job dissatisfaction and family-work conflict were associated with the largest risk of psychological distress. Having children, active participation, being able to successfully combine work and family roles, and social support were found to be protective factors. A significant interaction with gender was found in only two variables: ignoring family due to being absorbed in one’s work was associated with distress in women (OR 1.30 (95% CI 1.00–1.70), and mental strain of work in men (OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.66–4.41). Conclusions Satisfying work, family life and being able to successfully combine the two are important sources of psychological well-being for both genders in the working population.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (9) ◽  
pp. 1161-1182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie Pettus-Davis ◽  
Christopher A. Veeh ◽  
Maxine Davis ◽  
Stephen Tripodi

Objectives: Positive social support is critically important to postprison well-being outcomes. However, researchers and program developers are still trying to understand how to best promote stable and sustainable social support for formerly incarcerated individuals during reentry to the community. We sought to add to the body of knowledge on social support and prisoner reentry by comparing men and women releasing from prison on the quality (e.g., positive or negative) and amount of informal social support. Methods: A random sample of 395 male ( n = 165) and female ( n = 230) releasing prisoners participated in the study. After unadjusted bivariate comparisons, multivariate regression was conducted to identify gender differences in preincarceration social support quality of influence and anticipated number of postrelease support persons while controlling for important covariates such as substance abuse and mental illnesses. Results: Males reported higher rates of negative social support overall, and females reported higher rates of both mixed and positive social support compared to their male counterparts. Older participants reported higher levels of positive support compared to younger participants. Men of color reported significantly higher levels of positive support than their White male counterparts. Overall, women had higher prevalence of behavioral health factors that complicate quality of support. However, there were no differences in gender found for the amount of perceived social support available postrelease in the unadjusted models. Implications: Study findings suggest the need for gender-specific and culturally tailored targets for prisoner reentry programs addressing social support. Possible adaptations for interventions are explored.


2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-15
Author(s):  
Burton Mack

The introduction to Burton Mack's extended conversation with Vincent Wimbush and Institute for Signifying Scripture, Claremont Graduate University. The conversation revolves around the cultural function of the Bible as Christian myth in American society, and the African-American domestication of the Bible as their Scripture. The essay explores the differences between the Bible as myth in the dominant Euro-American tradition, and the Bible as Scripture in African-American experience. Drawing upon the work of Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the concept of "signifying" describes a remarkable linguistic style characteristic of African-American mentality and culture.


2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-113
Author(s):  
Burton Mack

Part 6 of Burton Mack's extended conversation with Vincent Wimbush and Institute for Signifying Scripture, Claremont Graduate University. The conversation revolves around the cultural function of the Bible as Christian myth in American society, and the African-American domestication of the Bible as their Scripture. The essay explores the differences between the Bible as myth in the dominant Euro-American tradition, and the Bible as Scripture in African-American experience. Drawing upon the work of Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the concept of "signifying" describes a remarkable linguistic style characteristic of African-American mentality and culture.


Author(s):  
Kristopher A. Teters

While many western Union officers came to support emancipation and even the enlistment of black troops, their racial attitudes changed very little. On the whole, officers continued to view black people as inferior, exotic, incapable, and even subhuman. Interactions with former slaves reinforced racial stereotypes. This intense prejudice was especially prominent in the Midwest where there were many discriminatory laws. Freeing the slaves, which many officers only supported as a practical necessity to win the war, was very different from seeing black people as anything close to equal with white people. But experiences with black men and women, particularly servants with whom Federals formed long-lasting personal bonds, often tempered racial prejudices on an individual level. Black men and women who assisted the Union army by providing information, resources, and aid in dangerous circumstances also won positive comments from officers. This softening of racial attitudes, however, almost never extended to the black population as a whole, and even ardent supporters of emancipation showed little sympathy for expanding black rights. The Civil War had eliminated slavery but had hardly solved the problem of racial prejudice.


Author(s):  
Tung-Wei Cnen ◽  
Yi-Chuan Chiu ◽  
Yawen Hsu

This study explored whether gender differences exist in social support, optimism/pessimism, and psychological well-being among university student athletes and examined the relationship among these three variables and the mediating effect of optimism/pessimism. A total of 322 university student athletes (159 men and 163 women) who were Division 1 athletes participated in this study. The research instruments used in this study comprised the revised Athletes’ Received Support Questionnaire, the Life Orientation Test, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale. The results demonstrated the influence of gender differences for some variables. Regarding pessimistic tendency and autonomy (a dimension of the Psychological Well-Being Scale), the average scores of men were significantly higher than those of women. Regarding the other three dimensions of the Psychological Well-Being Scale (purpose in life, positive relationships with others, and personal growth), the average scores were higher for women than for men. Moreover, significant positive correlations were observed among social support provided by coaches, optimism, and psychological well-being. Optimism mediated the relationship between social support and psychological well-being, and pessimism was negatively correlated with psychological well-being; however, the mediating path was not significant. Finally, suggestions for future research and practical implications are proposed for researchers, educators, and supervisors in the field of sports.


Author(s):  
Shirley A. Hill

Slavery, segregation, and economic disadvantage have historically undermined the functionality and resilience of African-American families, and the post-industrial turn in the economy exasperated those difficulties. This chapter looks at the health consequences of the ‘love and trouble’ tradition between black men and women, especially in terms of non-marriage, loneliness, sexuality, sexual diseases, and unwanted pregnancies.


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