Poster #111 - The Moderating Role of John Henryism on the Association Between Race-Based Rejection Sensitivity and Self-Esteem

• In Event: Poster Session 01

Abstract

Race-based rejection sensitivity (RBRS), the tendency to expect rejection from racial outgroup members, constitutes a significant risk factor for negative mental health outcomes among people of color (Page-Gould et al., 2014). Previous research on RBRS has shown a positive association between RBRS and discomfort and mistrust (Mendoza-Denton et al., 2002). A small but growing literature on John Henryism (JH), a self-perception that one can meet the demands of their environment through hard work, has shown mixed effects of JH on psychological outcomes (Hudson et al., 2015; Robinson & Tobin, 2021). There is even less research focused on the joint influences of RBRS and JH on the self-concept of young adults of color. Accordingly, the current study aims to address the following research questions: 1. How is RBRS associated with self-esteem (SE)? 2. How does JH moderate the association between RBRS and SE? It is hypothesized that RBRS will be associated with lower levels of SE. Furthermore, in line with a lack of consensus on the role of JH on psychological outcomes, we have two empirically supported competing hypotheses regarding the moderating influence of JH: 1. Individuals reporting higher levels of JH would be 1. more OR 2. less vulnerable to lower SE in the context of RBRS cognitions.

Participants included 123 young adults of color (mean age = 20.11; 70.7% female; 48% Asians, 13.8% Blacks, 38.2% Hispanics; 26% first-year students, 17.1% second-year students, 10.6% third-year students, 12.2% fourth-year students) attending a private, northeastern four-year university. Data were collected as part of a larger research study examining discrimination and psychological well-being. Participants completed measures of RBRS (RBRS; Mendoza-Denton et al., 2002; M = 73.26, SD = 20.60, α = .94 ), JH (JHAC; James et al., 1983; M = 44.59, SD = 6.07, α = .75), and SE (RSES; Rosenberg, 1965; M = 21.63, SD = 4.17, α = .72).

Using linear regression, results indicated interactions between RBRS and JH predicting SE. RBRS was negatively associated with SE at high levels of JH (b = -.05; p = .03) , but not for moderate (b = -.01; p = .51) or low (b = .03; p = .37) levels (Figure 1).

The study extends previous literature linking RBRS to negative psychological adjustment for young adults and highlights the importance of considering individual factors, such as JH, that may influence this association. Our study revealed an association between RBRS and SE only at high levels of JH. This is in line with previous research on active coping, which suggests that chronic reliance on active coping may actually increase risk for negative psychological outcomes over time (Bernard et al., 2020) especially when stressors are outside of one’s own control. As young adults of color navigate race-related stressors that are out of their control and develop RBRS, JH may deplete cognitive resources and increase risk for suboptimal psychological outcomes. Thus, active, effortful coping methods may not be ideal in the context of cognitive responses, such as RBRS, that may result from race-related stressors.

Authors

• Jiwoon Bae, Fordham University
  Presenting Author

• Shadane Ariel Johnson, Fordham University

• Ariel Tseng, Fordham University

• Tiffany Yip, Fordham University