Indirect effect of race-related stress on traumatic stress and depression symptoms via subjective social status in a Black community sample.
Am J Community Psychol
; 72(1-2): 116-126, 2023 09.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37434412
ABSTRACT
Experiencing racism is linked to lower subjective social status (SSS), defined as one's perception of their position in society. SSS is influenced by power, prestige, and objective socioeconomic status (SES). Previous findings suggest that race-related stress may be related to adverse mental health outcomes through SSS in Black Americans, a population that has been deeply affected by continuing legacies of oppression. The current study examines the indirect association between race-related stress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms through SSS in a community sample of largely trauma-exposed Black Americans (N = 173). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that overall race-related stress significantly predicted lower SSS, higher PTSD symptoms, and higher depression symptoms. Analyses also revealed indirect effects of cultural race-related stress on PTSD and depression symptoms through SSS after controlling for SES. Results suggest that the experience of race-related stress, particularly cultural race-related stress, which involves the degradation and disparagement of one's culture and worldview, is associated with more severe PTSD and depression symptoms potentially due to these experiences decreasing Black Americans' SSS. Findings support the need for systemic intervention strategies to disrupt the cultural oppression of Black Americans and improve the societal value and mental health of this population.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
/
Stress, Psychological
/
Depression
/
Social Status
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Am J Community Psychol
Year:
2023
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States