Religiosity and Coping: Racial Stigma and Psychological Well-Being Among African American Girls

Overview

Journal J Relig Health

Publisher Springer

Specialties General Medicine
Psychology
Social Sciences

Date 2018 Jun 4

PMID 29860644

Citations 9

Authors

Sheretta T Butler-Barnes

Pamela P Martin

Elan C Hope

Nikeea Copeland-Linder

Marquisha Lawrence Scott

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This study examined how having a relationship with God served as a protective factor between racial stigma beliefs and psychological well-being. A church sample of African American adolescent girls (N = 117, M= 15) completed measures on racial stigma, psychological well-being, and reports on having a relationship with God. After controlling for adolescent age, family income, and church attendance, positive racial beliefs and having a relationship with God were associated with a healthier psychological well-being. Findings also revealed that having a relationship with God and internalizing healthier racial beliefs were associated with a healthier psychological well-being, whereas reporting higher levels of having a relationship with God served as a protective factor for African American girls when internalizing moderate levels of racial stigma. Overall, results suggest that having a relationship with God can serve as a coping mechanism and promote a healthier psychological well-being for African American adolescent girls.

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