DOCSLIB.ORG

Evaluating the Relationship Between Minority Stress and Working Memory: the Influence of Psychological Distress and Identity Valence

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Evaluating the Relationship Between Minority Stress and Working Memory: the Influence of Psychological Distress and Identity Valence EVALUATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MINORITY STRESS AND WORKING MEMORY: THE INFLUENCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND IDENTITY VALENCE A Dissertation Submitted to The Temple University Graduate Board In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY By Paul C. Jones August 2017 Examining Committee Members: Laura P. Pendergast, PhD, Advisory Chair, College of Education, Temple University Catherine A. Fiorello, PhD, College of Education, Temple University Janice H. Laurence, PhD, College of Education, Temple University Armando X. Estrada, PhD, College of Education, Temple University ii © Copyright 2017 by Paul C. Jones All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT The minority stress theory proposes that higher rates of mental illness among individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual result from various factors that one may experience as a function of their minority status (Meyer, 1995, 2003). Such factors include internalized homophobia, concealment of one’s sexual identity, and the experiences of discrimination and rejection, whether real or perceived. This study investigated the relationship between minority stress and working memory. Based on the well documented research finding of the higher prevalence of mental illness among individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, relative to their heterosexual counterparts (S. D. Cochran, Sullivan, & Mays, 2003; Hatzenbuehler, 2009; Mays & Cochran, 2001), it was hypothesized that higher levels of minority stress would predict higher levels of psychological distress. In addition, models of chronic stress have predicted that individuals who are under constant stress conditions are more likely to have working memory deficits (Egeland et al., 2005; Schmader & Johns, 2003). Thus, it was hypothesized that the relationship between minority stress and working memory would be mediated by psychological distress. Identity valence is the evaluation of one’s identity and could be either positive or negative (Ashmore, Deaux, & McLaughlin-Volpe, 2004; Meyer, 2003). It was hypothesized that identity valence would further mediate the relationship between minority stress and working memory. Participants included 309 adults who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB), recruited via community-based and snowball sampling techniques (Meyer & Colten, 1999; Meyer & Wilson, 2009). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to examine direct and indirect effects of the relationship between minority stress and working memory. Results indicated that iv higher levels of working memory predict higher levels of psychological distress. Further, the relationship between minority stress and working memory was mediated through psychological distress and rumination. Finally, identity valence did not have the protective factor that was hypothesized and demonstrated in previous literature (Kertzner, Meyer, Frost, & Stirratt, 2009; Meyer, 2003). Rather, higher levels of identity valence predicted higher levels of psychological distress. Implications, strengths, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed. v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First, to my advisor, mentor, and dissertation committee chair, Dr. Laura Pendergast, for her expertise, time, and feedback throughout my doctoral studies, I extend my deepest appreciation. With her continued support, I have accomplished a daunting task. Great thanks are due to my dissertation committee members, Dr. Catherine Fiorello, Dr. Janice Laurence, and Dr. Armando Estrada. Their expertise and encouragement throughout this process have been invaluable. To my family and friends who have supported my seemingly endless graduate school career, I offer sincere thanks for putting up with me and encouraging me to go further. Finally, to my partner and husband, Ron, who never left my side through the ups and downs of this process, whose words of encouragement were often underappreciated during the most stressful of times, and who would do anything to see me succeed, I do not have the words to express my gratitude. v vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ iiii LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................v CHAPTERS 1. INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................1 2. LITERATURE REVIEW ..............................................................................................4 Stress and Outcomes of Stress ................................................................................ 4 Coping with Stress ...................................................................................... 6 Effects of Stress .......................................................................................... 8 Minority Stress and Psychological Distress .............................................. 10 Executive Functioning and Stress ......................................................................... 11 Executive Functions .................................................................................. 12 Assessment of Executive Function ........................................................... 15 Effects of Stress on Executive Functions .............................................................. 16 Identity Development............................................................................................ 21 vi Two Bases for Determining Identity......................................................... 22 Cognitive Vulnerability-Stress Models................................................................. 30 Purpose of the Current Study ................................................................................ 33 Research Questions ................................................................................... 35 vii 3. METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................38 Participants ............................................................................................................ 38 Recruitment ........................................................................................................... 38 Measures ............................................................................................................... 39 Demographic Variables ............................................................................ 39 Heterosexist Harassment, Rejection, and Discrimination Scale ............... 39 Internalized Homophobia Scale ................................................................ 40 Stigma Consciousness Questionnaire for Gay Men and Lesbians............ 40 Outness Inventory ..................................................................................... 41 Collective Self-Esteem Scale .................................................................... 42 Ruminative Responses Scale .................................................................... 42 Hopkins Symptom Checklist-58 ............................................................... 43 Perceived Stress Scale............................................................................... 43 Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version ........... 44 Procedure .............................................................................................................. 44 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................ 45 Measurement Model ................................................................................. 46 Structural Model ....................................................................................... 48 4. RESULTS ....................................................................................................................50 Descriptive Statistics ............................................................................................. 50 Measurement Model ............................................................................................. 56 Confirmatory Factor Analysis ................................................................... 56 Specification of the Measurement Model ................................................. 81 viii Structural Equation Model ........................................................................ 85 5. DISCUSSION ..............................................................................................................96 Purpose of the Current Study ................................................................................ 96 Review of Findings ............................................................................................... 97 Minority stress and psychological distress ............................................... 97 Psychological distress and rumination ...................................................... 99 Minority stress and working memory ....................................................... 99 Strengths of the Present Study ............................................................................ 101 Limitations .........................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Minority Stress and Life Role Saliency Among Sexual Minorities
    Georgia State University ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University Counseling and Psychological Services Department of Counseling and Psychological Dissertations Services Spring 4-20-2011 Minority Stress and Life Role Saliency among Sexual Minorities Franco Dispenza Georgia State University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cps_diss Part of the Student Counseling and Personnel Services Commons Recommended Citation Dispenza, Franco, "Minority Stress and Life Role Saliency among Sexual Minorities." Dissertation, Georgia State University, 2011. https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cps_diss/66 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services at ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Counseling and Psychological Services Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ACCEPTANCE This dissertation, MINORITY STRESS AND LIFE ROLE SALIENCY AMONG SEXUAL MINORITIES, by FRANCO DISPENZA, was prepared under the direction of the candidate’s Dissertation Advisory Committee. It is accepted by the committee members in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Education, Georgia State University. The Dissertation Advisory Committee and the student’s Department Chair, as representatives of the faculty, certify that this dissertation has met all standards of excellence and scholarship as determined by the faculty. The Dean of the College of Education concurs. ______________________________ ________________________________ Gregory L. Brack, Ph.D. Kenneth B. Matheny, Ph.D. Committee Chair Committee Member ______________________________ ________________________________ JoAnna F. White, Ed.D. Catherine J. Brack, Ph.D. Committee Member Committee Member _____________________ Date ______________________________ JoAnna F.
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of Minority Stress As a Risk Factor for Cognitive Decline in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Elders
    Marquette University e-Publications@Marquette Psychology Faculty Research and Publications Psychology, Department of 1-2020 A Review of Minority Stress as a Risk Factor for Cognitive Decline in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Elders Anthony N. Correro Marquette University Kristy A. Nielson Marquette University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac Part of the Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Correro, Anthony N. and Nielson, Kristy A., "A Review of Minority Stress as a Risk Factor for Cognitive Decline in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Elders" (2020). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 448. https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/448 Marquette University e-Publications@Marquette Psychology Faculty Research and Publications/College of Arts and Sciences This paper is NOT THE PUBLISHED VERSION; but the author’s final, peer-reviewed manuscript. The published version may be accessed by following the link in the citation below. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health, Vol. 24, No. 1 (January/March 2020): 2-19. DOI. This article is © Routledge Taylor & Francis Group and permission has been granted for this version to appear in e- Publications@Marquette. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. A Review of Minority Stress as a Risk Factor for Cognitive Decline in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Elders Anthony N. Correro II Department of Psychology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI Kristy A. Nielson Department of Psychology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI Department of Neurology and the Center for Imaging Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Abstract Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults comprise a unique and growing subset of the aging population.
    [Show full text]
  • Minority Stress & Sex Work
    Fact Sheet | MINORITY STRESS & SEX WORK Understanding stress and internalized stigma Katie Bloomquist, SWOP USA Board of Directors A sexual minority is defined as an individual whose sexual identity, orientation, or practices differ from the majority of the surrounding society (Meyer, 2003). • Stressors facing sexual minorities are unique, chronic, and socially based (Meyer, 2003). • Historically this concept has been used to describe stress LGBTIQ individuals face due to homophobia/transphobia. (Sullivan, 2003). • Sexual minority health disparities can be explained in large part by stressors induced by a hostile, homophobic/transphobic (whorephobic) culture, which often results in a lifetime of harassment, maltreatment, discrimination and victimization (Meyer, 2003) and may ultimately impact access to care. • Sex work is a concealable stigma, meaning it must be explicitly (or implicitly) disclosed in order to be recognized. This type of stigma is under-researched and less understood compared to visible stigmas. • Anticipated stigma, cultural stigma, and distress all directly relate to illness. • Stigma affects identity, relationships, and health. Invisible stigma is coded as sexual activity (fetishes), sexual orientation, criminal activity, medical or psych diagnoses, drug use, rape (Quinn & Chaudoir, 2009). Many sex workers fit into several of these categories. APPLYING THE MINORITY STRESS MODEL TO SEX WORKERS: As sex workers do not conform to societal sexual norms (by selling sexual services and by engaging in “illegal” selling of sex in the US), applying the Minority Stress Model to those engaged in sex work is useful for understanding this lived experience. • Sex workers are subject to high rates of discrimination, violence, and rejection related to their work (Deering et al., 2014), and receive more victim blame (and less empathy) after experiencing a sexual assault (Sprankle, Bloomquist, Butcher, Gleason, & Schaefer, 2016).
    [Show full text]
  • Research Article Gender Minority Stress and Depressive Symptoms in Transitioned Swiss Transpersons
    Hindawi BioMed Research International Volume 2018, Article ID 8639263, 10 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/8639263 Research Article Gender Minority Stress and Depressive Symptoms in Transitioned Swiss Transpersons Tiziana Jäggi ,1 Lena Jellestad ,2 Salvatore Corbisiero,3 Dirk J. Schaefer,4 Josef Jenewein,2 Andres Schneeberger,5 Annette Kuhn,6 and David Garcia Nuñez2,7 1 Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmuhlestrasse¨ 14, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland 2Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse¨ 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland 3Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002 Basel, Switzerland 4Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University of Basel, Basel University Hospital, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland 5Psychiatric Services Graubunden,¨ Loestrasse 220, 7000 Chur, Switzerland 6Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Bern, Efngerstrasse 102, 3010 Bern, Switzerland 7Center for Gender Variance, University of Basel, Basel University Hospital, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland Correspondence should be addressed to Tiziana Jaggi;¨ [email protected] Tiziana Jaggi¨ and Lena Jellestad contributed equally to this work. Received 15 December 2017; Accepted 4 March 2018; Published 19 April 2018 Academic Editor: Miroslav Djordjevic Copyright © 2018 Tiziana Jaggi¨ et al. Tis is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Compared to the general population, transpersons are exposed to higher levels of discrimination and violence. Te stigmatization of transpersons can lead to physical and psychological problems. In particular, transindividuals exhibit a higher prevalence of depression compared to the cispopulation.
    [Show full text]
  • Minority Stress and Trauma-Informed Approaches
    Minority Stress and Trauma-informed Approaches Alex S. Keuroghlian, MD MPH The National LGBT Health Education Center at The Fenway Institute Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School Alex S. Keuroghlian, MD MPH . Current Position: Director of Education and Training Programs, The Fenway Institute . Disclosure: No relevant financial relationships. Presentation does not include discussion of off-label products. It is the policy of The National LGBT Health Education Center, Fenway Health that all CME planning committee/faculty/authors/editors/staff disclose relationships with commercial entities upon nomination/invitation of participation. Disclosure documents are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest and, if identified, they are resolved prior to confirmation of participation. Only participants who have no conflict of interest or who agree to an identified resolution process prior to their participation were involved in this CME activity. Learning Objectives This module will enable participants to: . Discuss the concept of minority stress and the impacts on individuals and communities . Name three ways that organizations can minimize or prevent the impacts of trauma from minority stress . Describe a trauma-informed organizational approach in managing and mitigating minority stress Polling Question 1 . What is your current role at your organization? . Health center provider . Health center administrator . Government official . Non-health center service provider . Policy/advocacy professional . Consumer Polling Question 2 . What is your familiarity level regarding trauma- informed principles? . No work with trauma-informed approaches . Some understanding of trauma-informed principles and models . Regular practice of trauma-informed approaches Minority Stress Framework General Psychological External Processes Behavioral Stigma- Physical Health Related Health Problems Stressors Internal Stigma- Problems Related Stressors Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • Expecting Rejection: Understanding the Minority Stress Experiences of Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Individuals
    Transgender Health Volume 1.1, 2016 Transgender DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2016.0012 Health ORIGINAL ARTICLE Open Access Expecting Rejection: Understanding the Minority Stress Experiences of Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Individuals Brian A. Rood,1,* Sari L. Reisner,2–4 Francisco I. Surace,5 Jae A. Puckett,6 Meredith R. Maroney,7 and David W. Pantalone3,5 Abstract Purpose: Transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) individuals often are the target of enacted or exter- nal (i.e., distal) experiences of stigma, discrimination, and violence, which are linked to adverse health, particularly psychological distress. There is limited research, however, examining felt or internal (i.e., proximal) stressors faced by TGNC individuals. This study sought to examine one type of internal stressor, expecting rejection, and aimed to (1) identify how and to what extent rejection expectations operate day-to-day for TGNC individuals and (2) ex- plore how TGNC individuals respond to expectations of rejection. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 participants from 2014 to 2015 who identified as TGNC (mean age = 30.4; 60% people of color); data were analyzed using a consensual qualitative research method. Results: Four thematic categories emerged about expecting rejection: (1) where to expect rejection; (2) thoughts and feelings associated with expectations of rejection; (3) coping strategies used to manage the expec- tation of rejection; and (4) the intersection of race and ethnicity with rejection expectations. Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest that expecting rejection is a frequent and salient internal stressor for TGNC individuals. We discuss the psychological and cumulative potential health impact of minority stress, and the applicability of Meyer’s Minority Stress Model.
    [Show full text]
  • Achieving Health Equity for LGBT People
    Learning Module 1 References and Resources Achieving Health Equity for LGBT People References 1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Healthy People 2020. Washington, DC. 2010. a. Slide 3 2. IOM (Institute of Medicine). The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2011. a. Slide 3, 35 3. Kosciw J, Greytak E, Palmer N, Boesen M. The 2013 National School Climate Survey: The experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth in our nation’s schools. New York: GLSEN; 2014 a. Slide 4 4. The Fenway guide to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health. 2nd ed. Makadon HJ, Mayer KM, Potter J, Goldhammer H, editors. Philadelphia, PA: ACP Press; 2015. a. Slide 4 5. Meyer IH. Minority stress and mental health in gay men. J Health Soc Behav. 1995 Mar;36(1):38-56. a. Slide 5 6. Meyer IH. Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychol Bull. 2003;129:674-97. a. Slide 5 7. Frost DM, Lehavot K, Meyer IH. Minority stress and physical health among sexual minority individuals. J Behav Med. 2013 Jul 18. Epub. a. Slide 5 8. Huebner DM, Davis MC. Perceived antigay discrimination and physical health outcomes. Health Psychology 2007;26(5): 627-634 a. Slide 5 9. Hatzenbuehler ML, Nolen-Hoeksema S, Erickson SJ. Minority stress predictors of HIV risk behavior, substance use, and depressive symptoms: results from a prospective study of bereaved gay men.
    [Show full text]
  • Minority Stress and Health: Implications for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Young People
    Technological University Dublin ARROW@TU Dublin Articles Social Sciences 2009 Minority Stress and Health: Implications for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Young People Cathy Kelleher Technological University Dublin, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://arrow.tudublin.ie/aaschsslarts Part of the Clinical Psychology Commons, and the Mental and Social Health Commons Recommended Citation Kelleher, C. (2009). Minority stress and health: Implications for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 22:4, 373-379. doi:10.1080/ 09515070903334995. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Social Sciences at ARROW@TU Dublin. It has been accepted for inclusion in Articles by an authorized administrator of ARROW@TU Dublin. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License Minority Stress and Health: Implications for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Young People Cathy Kelleher Dublin Institute of Technology Correspondence may be addressed to: Department of Social Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology, 41-45 Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1, Ireland. Telephone: 00353 (0) 1 4024265. Email: [email protected]. Minority Stress and Health: Implications for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Young People Cathy Kelleher* Department of Social Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology (Received 21 st February 2008) Abstract Historically, the pathologisation of LGBTQ orientations shaped research and professional practice, while the impact of stigma was not considered. Within a minority stress conceptualisation however, stigma-related prejudice and discrimination experienced by LGBTQ people constitute chronically stressful events that can lead to negative health outcomes.
    [Show full text]
  • Minority Stress: Intergroup Contact and the Minority Experience
    Minority Stress: Intergroup Contact and the Minority Experience Running head: MINORITY STRESS: INTERGROUP CONTACT THE MINORITY EXPERIENCE Minority Stress: Intergroup Contact and the Minority Experience Genelle C. John Laurentian University M.A., Interdisciplinary Human Development 2014 Minority Stress: Intergroup Contact and the Minority Experience Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 2: Theories ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Minority Stress Theory ...................................................................................................................... 8 Distal stress ................................................................................................................................ 10 Proximal stress .......................................................................................................................... 11 Poor health outcomes ............................................................................................................. 12 Intergroup Contact Theory .............................................................................................................. 15 Intergroup Contact Theory: The Minority Experience.......................................................... 18 Theoretical Perspectives on the Minority Experience of Intergroup
    [Show full text]
  • Minority Stress and the Influence of Transgender Identity and Race/ Ethnicity Krystina Millar Coastal Carolina University, [email protected]
    Coastal Carolina University CCU Digital Commons Honors College and Center for Interdisciplinary Honors Theses Studies Spring 5-9-2019 Double Jeopardy: Minority Stress and the Influence of Transgender Identity and Race/ Ethnicity Krystina Millar Coastal Carolina University, [email protected] Jason Eastman Coastal Carolina University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/honors-theses Part of the Gender and Sexuality Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, and the Social Psychology and Interaction Commons Recommended Citation Millar, Krystina and Eastman, Jason, "Double Jeopardy: Minority Stress and the Influence of Transgender Identity and Race/ Ethnicity" (2019). Honors Theses. 327. https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/honors-theses/327 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors College and Center for Interdisciplinary Studies at CCU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Theses by an authorized administrator of CCU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Running head: MINORITY STRESS 1 Double Jeopardy: Minority Stress and the Influence of Transgender Identity and Race/Ethnicity By Krystina Millar Department of Sociology Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science In the HTC Honors College at Coastal Carolina University Spring 2019 Louis E. Keiner Jason Eastman Director of Honors Professor HTC Honors College Department of Sociology
    [Show full text]
  • Among African Americans: Implications for Research and Future Directions
    Conceptualizing Substance Use among African Americans: Implications for Research and Future Directions CTAPS Fall Meeting (October, 14, 2016) Tamika C.B. Zapolski, Ph.D. Indiana University Purdue University – Indianapolis African Americans and Substance Use • Compared to White youth, African Americans report • Lower rates of alcohol use • Lower rates of tobacco use • Comparable or higher rates of marijuana use Sources: Chen & Jacobson, 2012; Wallace et al., 2002; Zapolski et al., 2014 • higher initial status of heavy drinking • lowest rate of change for alcohol, heavy use, and smoking • lowest level of alcohol and heavy use in adolescence and early adulthood • Smoking low, but because highest after 30 – marijuana highest after late 20s Sources: Chen & Jacobson, 2012 Source: Lanza et al., 2015 African Americans and Substance Use • Compared to White youth, African Americans report • Comparable or higher rates of marijuana use • Higher rates among White youth in late 1970s-early 1990s • Black-white gap narrowed substantially during late 1990s/early 2000s • 2013 first time prevalence higher among Black youth (29% compared to 20%) than White youth (Johnson et al., 2015) Sources: Chen & Jacobson, 2012; Wallace et al., 2002; Zapolski et al., 2014 African Americans and AOD Use • Shift in risk into adulthood • The crossover effect • Higher rates of alcohol use, particularly heavy or binge drinking after the age of 35 for African Americans compared to Whites • Problems from use • Among those who use, African Americans tend to experience more problems
    [Show full text]
  • Measuring Multiple Minority Stress and Intersectionality
    Running head: BLACK WOMEN MATTER 1 Black Women Matter: Measuring Multiple Minority Stress and Intersectionality among African American Women V. Nikki Jones University of Tennessee 2 BLACK WOMEN MATTER Abstract Greater understanding of minority stress and intersectional microaggression in African American women’s lived experience may contribute to improved health outcomes. To date, there is a scarcity of research exploring intersectionality and psychometric instruments. The aim of this literature review was to examine the application of current minority stress and intersectional microaggression scales developed to evaluate gendered racism and sexual identity. Nine measurement scales were evaluated for purpose, format, psychometric properties, and cultural applicability. The Gendered Racism Microaggression Scale emerged as the most rigorous and culturally reliable measurement. Future research should include diverse samples of African American women in order to improve external validity of minority stress and intersectional scales. In clinical practice, measurement scales provide an objective tool to evaluate and differentiate stress among African American women. Keywords: Minority stress, intersectional microaggression, intersectionality, gendered racism, sexual identity, African American women, measurement scales or instruments 3 BLACK WOMEN MATTER Black Women Matter: Measuring Multiple Minority Stress and Intersectionality among African American Women Minority stress is a nocent condition impacting African American women. Minority stress influences susceptibility to stress-related emotional, mental, and physical illness. Several research instruments have been designed to examine racialized stress experienced by African Americans. Racialized stressors are discriminatory experiences and conditions particular to racial or ethnic membership (Wei et al., 2010). These stressors are operationalized by racial microaggression and measured with microaggression scales, which transpose anecdotal experiences with discrimination into objective tools for assessment.
    [Show full text]