Linking Discrimination To Health: Does Coping Matter For The Mental Health Of Black Men And Women?

Efforts to explain the negative association between discrimination and mental health have examined psychosocial responses to discrimination, such as coping responses or resources. However, there is limited research on how these coping strategies affect the discrimination-health relationship among Black Americans. Using data from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL), the present study examines the effect of perceived discrimination on depressive symptoms separately for men and women and tests the mediating and moderating influences of five coping strategies on this relationship. Results suggest that social support partially mediates the negative association between discrimination and mental health for men and women. Additionally, talking about one’s feelings and prayer moderate (buffers) the discrimination-health relationship for men and women respectively. This study highlights the need for future research assessing both coping responses and resources in the coping process of Black Americans