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Ross JM, Hope MO, Volpe VV. Intersections of Racial/Ethnic and Religious Identities on Bodily Well-Being for Black College-Attending Emerging Adults. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2024; 11:1808-1818. [PMID: 37318713 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01653-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Black undergraduates face threats to healthy weight and body image (i.e., bodily well-being). Having a strong racial/ethnic identity can promote health during emerging adulthood. However, less is known about the intersections of racial/ethnic and religious identities on the bodily well-being of Black college-attending emerging adults, despite evidence to indicate that aspects of religiosity are also associated with health. We use quantitative data from 767 Black college-attending emerging adults in the Multi-University Study of Identity and Culture to examine the independent contributions of racial/ethnic and religious identity for bodily health, and test a potential interaction between racial/ethnic and religious identity on bodily health outcomes. Results from a multivariate linear regression model indicate that Black college-attending emerging adults with both high religious identity and high racial/ethnic identity exploration had higher body mass index and less positive body image. Findings suggest ways to strengthen the development of culturally appropriate public health prevention and intervention efforts that target body image and weight for Black college-attending emerging adults. IMPACT STATEMENT: Black college-attending emerging adults face challenges to their health, particularly threats to healthy weight and body image during this period of psychosocial transitions. The developmental process of navigating racial/ethnic and religious identities during this time raises challenges and opportunities for health promotion for this population. Yet, research that explores the role of these identities remains scarce. We found that Black college-attending emerging adults had higher body mass index and more negative body image when they reported more racial/ethnic identity exploration coupled with higher religious identities. Results shed light on the complex ways that navigating both racial/ethnic and religious identities may put some Black college-attending emerging adults at greater health risk. Health education and promotion practice focused on improving Black emerging adult health in college contexts should ensure that behavioral interventions are appropriately nuanced and situated in these populations' developmental and cultural considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Ross
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Meredith O Hope
- Department of Psychology, The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA
| | - Vanessa V Volpe
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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2
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Carrà G, Bartoli F, Canestro A, Capogrosso CA, Bebbington PE, Crocamo C. Influence of intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity on youth cannabis use: A structural equation modelling analysis on national survey on drug use and health (NSDUH) 2015-2019. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 166:178-185. [PMID: 37776662 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Religiosity may reduce the risk of substance use in adults and young people. However, religiosity is a complex construct, variously defined and assessed. We explored the role of different religious components: intrinsic (subjective), extrinsic-personal (service attendance) and extrinsic-social (church-based social activities) in deterring cannabis use among adolescents. Combining several years (2015-2019) of NSDUH data on 68,263 adolescents between 12 and 17 years, a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach was used to evaluate pathways from intrinsic and extrinsic components of religiosity to cannabis use. We analyzed the role of several covariates, including comorbid depression and secular volunteering activities. About 15% of participants said they had used cannabis at some level in the previous year. Some degree of intrinsic and of extrinsic-personal religiosity was reported by 66% and 25% of the sample. 57% were committed to at least one faith-based activity, while 74% reported participation in non-faith-based community activities. The SEM regression model -controlling for putative confounders- showed that both intrinsic and extrinsic-personal religious components reduced the likelihood of cannabis use (Cannabis use coeff.: -0.065, p = 0.001; coeff.: -0.176, p < 0.001, respectively). However, the extrinsic-social component had no effect on refraining from cannabis use, despite involvement in non-faith based volunteering activities was protectively associated. Support for secular volunteering programs may be a cost-effective mechanism for reducing cannabis use. Moreover, whilst promoting religiosity is beyond the scope of any preventive programs, religious practices should be considered relevant protective factors, deserving consideration and support in terms of public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Carrà
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy; Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Francesco Bartoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Aurelia Canestro
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Chiara A Capogrosso
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Paul E Bebbington
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Cristina Crocamo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy.
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Scott J, Silva S, Gonzalez-Guarda RM, Bennett GG, Merwin E, Simmons LA. Adverse Childhood Experiences and Cardiovascular Health: An Exploration of Protective Social Determinants Among Young Adult Black Women. ANS Adv Nurs Sci 2022; Publish Ahead of Print:00012272-990000000-00042. [PMID: 36729910 PMCID: PMC10244488 DOI: 10.1097/ans.0000000000000468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
This study sought to advance the literature on Black women's cardiovascular health (CVH) by examining maternal relationship, religion and spirituality, and social connections as potential protective social determinants that buffer the stress of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The outcome was the American Heart Association's ideal CVH score. Neither maternal relationship nor religion/spirituality was able to buffer the stress of ACEs on ideal CVH. Findings are discussed in terms of cultural aspects of potential protective factors that are critical for future research. Identifying protective factors that may buffer the influence of ACEs on CVH remains a priority to promote health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jewel Scott
- University of South Carolina, Columbia (Dr Scott); Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina (Drs Silva and Gonzalez-Guarda); Duke Global Digital Health Science Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Dr Bennett); College of Nursing and Health Innovation, University of Texas, Arlington (Dr Merwin); and Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis (Dr Simmons)
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Lee DB, Peckins MK, Miller AL, Hope MO, Neblett EW, Assari S, Muñoz-Velázquez J, Zimmerman MA. Pathways from racial discrimination to cortisol/DHEA imbalance: protective role of religious involvement. ETHNICITY & HEALTH 2021; 26:413-430. [PMID: 30198761 PMCID: PMC6409100 DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2018.1520815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Racial discrimination (RD) is hypothesized to dysregulate the production of stress reactive hormones among African Americans. Psychological processes that may mediate the association between RD and such dysregulation (e.g. cortisol/DHEA ratio) are not well articulated. Organizational religious involvement (ORI) has been discussed as a psychological protective factor within the context of RD, but our understanding of ORI as a physiological protective factor remains limited. We evaluated whether RD was directly and indirectly (through depressive symptoms) associated with an imbalance of cortisol and DHEA hormones, and whether ORI buffered these direct and/or indirect pathways.Design: Data were drawn from the Flint Adolescent Study, an ongoing interview study of youth that began in 1994. Participants were 188 African American emerging adults (47.3% Female, ages 20-22). We used mediation and moderated-mediation analyses, as outlined by Hayes [2012. PROCESS SPSS Macro. [Computer Software and Manual]. http://www.afhayes.com/public/process.pdf], to evaluate the study aims.Results: We found that depressive symptoms mediated the association between RD and the cortisol/DHEA ratio. We also found that depressive symptoms mediated the association between RD and the cortisol/DHEA ratio for individuals reporting low and moderate levels of ORI, but not at high levels.Conclusions: Our findings support the socio-psychobiological model of racism and health [Chae et al. 2011. "Conceptualizing Racial Disparities in Health: Advancement of a Socio-Psychobiological Approach." Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race 8 (1): 63-77. doi:10.1017/S1742058X11000166] and suggest that the psychological toll of RD can confer physiological consequences. Moreover, ORI may disrupt pathways from RD to cortisol/DHEA ratio by buffering the psychological toll of RD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B. Lee
- Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Alison L. Miller
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann
Arbor, Michigan
| | - Meredith O. Hope
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann
Arbor, Michigan
| | - Enrique W. Neblett
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Shervin Assari
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann
Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Marc A. Zimmerman
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann
Arbor, Michigan
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Schnitker SA, Medenwaldt JM, Williams EG. Religiosity in adolescence. Curr Opin Psychol 2020; 40:155-159. [PMID: 33176270 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Person-centered approaches to religious development across adolescence reveal diverse trajectories of change, which are differentially subject to environmental and genetic influences. Studies support the robust protective effects of religiosity on adolescent internalizing and externalizing symptoms. However, some specific religious beliefs may predict poor adjustment. Evidence also suggests adolescent religiosity may exacerbate sexual identity conflicts and increase prejudice toward proscribed outgroups. Researchers demonstrate robust mediating effects of effortful control for explaining religiosity's influence on outcomes, and approaches to establish mediation through assessment intraindividual variability in the daily dynamics of religiosity and positive outcomes are promising. Inclusion of non-Western, non-Christian samples has allowed scholars to begin identifying the universal versus culturally specific elements of religiosity trajectories and processes in adolescence.
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Lee DB, Hsieh HF, Stoddard SA, Heinze JE, Carter PM, Goldstick JE, Cunningham MC, Cunningham RM, Zimmerman MA. Longitudinal pathway from violence exposure to firearm carriage among adolescents: The role of future expectation. J Adolesc 2020; 81:101-113. [PMID: 32408115 PMCID: PMC7325611 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exposure to violence is a risk factor for firearm carriage. Youth exposed to violence also have difficulty envisioning positive future outcomes (e.g., educational outcomes), which can increase the likelihood of firearm carriage over time. Researchers, however, have not yet examined whether changes in exposure to violence over time can influence the developmental trajectories of firearm carriage. To address this gap, we (1) examined the longitudinal association between exposure to violence and firearm carriage (grades 9 to 12) and then (2) examined whether changes in future expectations mediated this longitudinal association. METHOD The longitudinal association between exposure to violence and firearm carriage through future expectations was examined among 850 adolescents from the Flint Adolescent Study. Participants were recruited from four high schools in a midwestern city in the United States. Parallel latent growth models and latent growth mediation models were estimated. RESULTS A positive association was observed between the rate of change in exposure to violence and firearm carriage. Exposure to violence also indirectly increased the risk for firearm carriage over time by decreasing future expectation in the 9th grade. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the idea that helping youth develop positive attitude about educational success may help reduce firearm carriage. Increasing positive expectations about future may help prevent firearm carriage within the context of violence exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Lee
- Children's Minnesota Research Institute, Children's Minnesota Hospitals and Clinics, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Hsing-Fang Hsieh
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sarah A Stoddard
- Department of Systems, Populations, and Leadership, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Justin E Heinze
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Patrick M Carter
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jason E Goldstick
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mary C Cunningham
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Marc A Zimmerman
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Hope MO, Taggart T, Galbraith-Gyan KV, Nyhan K. Black Caribbean Emerging Adults: A Systematic Review of Religion and Health. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2020; 59:431-451. [PMID: 31828596 PMCID: PMC7722983 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-019-00932-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Religion, a prominent factor among Black diasporic communities, influences their health outcomes. Given the increase in Black Caribbeans living in the United States, it is important to understand how religion's function among different ethnic groups of Black Americans. We systematically reviewed four databases and included articles of any study design if they (a) focused on the religious experiences of emerging adults (18-29 years) identifying as Black Caribbean in the United States, in light of medical, public health, or mental health outcomes, and (b) were published before November 30, 2018. Study results contribute to future studies' conceptualization and measurement of religion among Black Caribbean emerging adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith O Hope
- National Center for Institutional Diversity, University of Michigan, 610 East University Avenue, Suite 3338, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Tamara Taggart
- Department of Prevention & Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kayoll V Galbraith-Gyan
- School of Nursing, Northeastern University, Robinson Hall, 336 Huntingdon Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Kate Nyhan
- Cushing/Whitney Medical Library, Yale University, P.O. Box 208014, New Haven, CT, 06520-8014, USA
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Hope MO, Lee DB, Hsieh HF, Hurd NM, Sparks HL, Zimmerman MA. Violence Exposure and Sexual Risk Behaviors for African American Adolescent Girls: The Protective Role of Natural Mentorship and Organizational Religious Involvement. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2019; 64:241-254. [PMID: 31206754 DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
African American adolescent girls are at increased risk of being exposed to community violence and being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection. Fewer studies, however, have examined the protective roles of natural mentorship and organizational religious involvement as potential moderators that could lessen the effects of violence exposure on health risk behavior. Data from 273 African American ninth grade girls were used to test hypothesized independent and moderated-moderation models. Results suggest that natural mentorship and religious involvement were protective for girls who reported at least one mentor and moderate to high levels of religious involvement. Our findings may be relevant for community stakeholders and organizations that directly interact with religious institutions and community programs that focus on outreach to African American adolescent girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith O Hope
- Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture, and Health, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Daniel B Lee
- Children's Minnesota Research Institute, Children's Minnesota Hospitals and Clinics, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Hsing-Fang Hsieh
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Noelle M Hurd
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Haley L Sparks
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Marc A Zimmerman
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Kliewer W, Washington-Nortey M, Salifu Yendork J, Sosnowski DW, Wright AW, McGuire K. Maternal and Family Correlates of Intrinsic Religiosity Profiles Among Low-Income Urban African American Adolescents. J Youth Adolesc 2019; 49:323-334. [PMID: 31388882 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-019-01095-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
National trends show that African American adolescents, relative to most other demographic groups, are more religious, and show fewer declines in religiosity, despite drastic decreases in religiosity among youth over the past 25 years. These broad findings are limiting because they fail to acknowledge religious heterogeneity among African American teens. Further, there are few empirical investigations of the transmission of religiosity within African American families. Building on a recent study that identified three distinctive profiles of intrinsic religiosity in a sample of low-income African American adolescents who were followed over four years (N = 326; Youth Mage = 12.1, SD = 1.6 years; 54% female), the present study examined contributions of maternal religiosity and family emotional climate in distinguishing these profiles. Univariate analyses revealed that maternal religious attendance and commitment, adolescents' felt acceptance from mothers and the emotional climate in the home differentiated youth who retained high levels of intrinsic religiosity (41%) from youth who declined in religiosity (37%) or who had low levels of religiosity (22%). Multivariate analyses showed that after accounting for demographic covariates, felt acceptance from mothers differentiated adolescents with high versus low levels of religiosity; both maternal religious attendance and felt acceptance from mothers distinguished adolescents who retained high levels of religiosity from youth who declined in religiosity. Implications for family dynamics in African American adolescent religious development and well-being are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Kliewer
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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Sharma S, Mustanski B, Dick D, Bolland J, Kertes DA. Protective Factors Buffer Life Stress and Behavioral Health Outcomes among High-Risk Youth. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2019; 47:1289-1301. [PMID: 30796646 PMCID: PMC6616218 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-019-00515-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and polydrug use among African-American youth residing in high-poverty neighborhoods, and tested the potential protective effects of religiosity, parental monitoring, and neighborhood collective efficacy on life stress and behavioral health outcomes (N = 576; 307 females; Mage = 16 years, SD = 1.44 years). A cumulative risk index reflected the combined effects of past year exposure to stressful life events, racial discrimination, and exposure to violence along with poor neighborhood ecology. Structural equation modeling revealed that cumulative risk significantly predicted internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and polydrug use. Interaction tests showed that the association of cumulative risk with internalizing problems was buffered by adolescent religiosity and neighborhood collective efficacy. The association of cumulative risk with externalizing problems was buffered by parental monitoring and collective efficacy. Adolescent sex further moderated these effects. The findings of the present study collectively highlight potential for protective factors to buffer effects of cumulative risk on behavioral health outcomes among youth residing in high-risk neighborhoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubam Sharma
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611-2250, USA
| | - Brian Mustanski
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Danielle Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - John Bolland
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Darlene A Kertes
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611-2250, USA.
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Wright AW, Yendork JS, Kliewer W. Patterns of Spiritual Connectedness during Adolescence: Links to Coping and Adjustment in Low-Income Urban Youth. J Youth Adolesc 2018; 47:2608-2624. [PMID: 29951730 PMCID: PMC6246777 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-018-0886-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Religiosity and spirituality are influential experiences that buffer adverse effects of stressors. Spirituality typically declines during adolescence, although not universally. Using Latent Class Growth Analysis, we examined changes in spiritual connectedness among 188 early (52% female; M age = 10.77, SD = 0.65 years) and 167 middle (56% female; M age = 13.68, SD = 0.82 years) predominantly African American adolescents participating in a 4-year longitudinal study. Three distinct profiles of spiritual connectedness emerged: low and steady, moderate with declines over the study period, and high and steady. Profile distributions varied across developmental level: there were more early adolescents in the high and steady profile and more middle adolescents in the decliner profile. Youth in the high and steady profile evidenced more goal-directedness and life satisfaction and more effective emotion management and coping strategies than youth in other profiles. Contributions to the positive development literature are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna W Wright
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA
| | | | - Wendy Kliewer
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA.
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Lee DB, Peckins MK, Heinze JE, Miller AL, Assari S, Zimmerman MA. Psychological pathways from racial discrimination to cortisol in African American males and females. J Behav Med 2018; 41:208-220. [PMID: 28942527 PMCID: PMC5844784 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-017-9887-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The association between racial discrimination (discrimination) and stress-related alterations in the neuroendocrine response-namely, cortisol secretion-is well documented in African Americans (AAs). Dysregulation in production of cortisol has been implicated as a contributor to racial health disparities. Guided by Clark et al. (Am Psychol 54(10):805-816, 1999. doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.54.10.805 ) biopsychosocial model of racism and health, the present study examined the psychological pathways that link discrimination to total cortisol concentrations in AA males and females. In a sample of 312 AA emerging adults (45.5% males; ages 21-23), symptoms of anxiety, but not depression, mediated the relation between discrimination and total concentrations of cortisol. In addition, the results did not reveal sex differences in the direct and indirect pathways. These findings advance our understanding of racial health disparities by suggesting that the psychological consequences of discrimination can uniquely promote physiologic dysregulation in AAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Lee
- Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, 1012SW North Ingalls Building, 10th Floor, 300 N. Ingalls St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0406, USA.
| | - Melissa K Peckins
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Justin E Heinze
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Alison L Miller
- Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, 1012SW North Ingalls Building, 10th Floor, 300 N. Ingalls St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0406, USA
| | - Shervin Assari
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Marc A Zimmerman
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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