Poster #110 - The Moderating Effect of Ethnic-Racial Identity on the Association between Racism-Related Coping and Mental Health

• In Event: Poster Session 01

Abstract

Research has shown that racism-related coping strategies are associated with lower rates of depression, anxiety, hostility, somatization, and interpersonal sensitivity (Johnson & Carter, 2020). However, most studies that examine how Black people cope with racial discrimination often rely on generic coping measures instead of using specific measures that captures how individuals cope with race-related stress (Franklin-Jackson & Carter, 2007). Moreover, few studies have looked at the influence of ethnic-racial identity (ERI) on racism-related coping strategies among Black Americans (Franklin-Jackson & Carter, 2007) even though ERI is a cultural asset that functions as a protective factor for the health and development of Black youth experiencing racism (Lloyd et al. 2021). Nonetheless, it is important to look at the developmental implications of racism-related coping strategies because there is evidence to suggest that Black people use different strategies to cope with non-racial and racial stressors (Johnson & Carter, 2020).

The current study aims to assess the association between racism-related coping and mental health in a sample of late adolescents and emerging adults. This investigation will also examine the moderating role of ERI on the association between racism-related coping and mental health. This pre-registered study will use a sample of 250 Black undergraduate students who attend different college settings [i.e., predominantly White institutions (PWIs) and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs)] in the Southeastern United States. The current study is in the midst of data collection with an expected end date for data collection in the Spring of 2023.

During a 2 ½ hour study session, participants report on their ethnic-racial identity using the Multigroup Ethnic Identity measure (Phinney, 1992) and racism-coping style using the Racism-Related Coping Scale (Forsyth & Carter, 2014). The dimensions of coping we will be investigating are: Racially Conscious Action, Hypervigilance, Confrontation, Empowered Action, Resistance, Bargaining, Spiritual Coping, and Anger Regulation. Mental health is assessed using several measures of wellbeing. These measures include the GAD-7 Anxiety Scale (Spitzer et al., 2006), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977), Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1994), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965).

Zero-order correlations and multiple regressions will be used as the primary modes of analysis. We hypothesized that racism-related coping will be negatively correlated with mental health severity, such that increased use of racism-related coping strategies will be associated with lower rates of poor mental health outcomes. We will also evaluate which racism-related coping strategy is more strongly associated with positive mental health outcomes as well as the moderating effect of ERI. We predict that youth who endorse higher levels of ERI will be more likely to engage in racism-coping strategies that reduce mental health severity. Finally, we will examine whether school context (PWIs versus HBCUs) affects the role of ERI on the association between racism-related coping and mental health. Findings from this study will not only provide novel insights into the connections among racism-related coping strategies, ERI, and mental health, but may provide us with a strong understanding of how these patterns may emerge earlier in development.

Authors

• LORETTA EBOIGBE, University of Maryland - College Park
  Presenting Author

• Yuqi Wang

• Sushant Ranadive, University of Maryland

• Fanita Amincia Tyrell, University of Maryland - College Park