The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62484

Harold Neighbors, PhD, Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 734-936-9868, woodyn@umich.edu, Sherrill Sellers, PhD, School of Social Work, University of Wisconsin, University Avenue, Madison, WI 48103, and Vence Bonham, JD, Associate Professor, Health Services Research Division, Dept of Medicine, Michigan State University, B211 Clinical Center, East Lansing, MI 48824.

The role of racial discrimination and personal capability as significant factors in the struggle for upward social mobility is important for the mental health of African Americans. Goal striving stress, defined as the discrepancy between aspirations and achievement, captures an important psychological component of the stress associated with blocked opportunities for African Americans. A previous investigation of goal-striving stress and mental health found a significantly stronger relationship between goal-striving and psychological distress among blacks above poverty compared to those below poverty. Despite having done well in life, relatively successful African Americans were more distressed about falling short of their goals than were those who were less well off. This suggests that it is important to explore how upper status African Americans cope with such setbacks. This study examines the relationship of goal-striving stress to psychological distress in a survey of 399 college-educated African American men who were members of a Black fraternal organization. Regression analyses revealed that goal-striving stress significantly increased symptoms of distress, controlling for demographics and other psychosocial measures. When asked to explain their to failure to reach life goals, half of the men attributed setbacks to racial discrimination. The relationship of goal-striving to distress was stronger among those who did not attribute setbacks to racial discrimination than among those who did.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to describe epidemiologic statistics on race, gender, and mental health, identify stress and coping models relevant to Black men, and articulate the role of discrimination in mental health.

Keywords: African American, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.