The Role of Experiential Mastery and John Henrysim in the Black-White Mental Health Paradox

• In Event: Resilience in Challenging Times: Insights from the Sociology of Mental Health

Abstract

For decades scholars have attempted to explain the Black-White mental health paradox, that is the tendency for Black Americans, on average, to exhibit similar or better mental health than White Americans. Using data from the Nashville Stress and Health Study (n=1175), we extend previous research by testing the role of experiential mastery and John Henryism in explaining the Black-White mental health paradox. We define experiential mastery as a type of mastery that is developed through the exposure and successful navigation of adversity throughout the life course. In adjusted models, we find that Black Americans have significantly better mental health than White Americans in terms of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms. We also find that Black Americans have significantly higher levels of experiential mastery and John Henryism than White Americans and that these resources help explain the mental health advantage of Black Americans relative to White Americans. If Black Americans did not have higher levels of these resources than White Americans, they would have worse mental health. We use formal mediation techniques to confirm the significant role that these resources play in explaining Black-White differences in depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms.

Author

• Patricia Louie, University of Washington