ERIC Number: EJ896700
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Mar
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-1465
EISSN: N/A
Effects of Goal-Striving Stress on the Mental Health of Black Americans
Sellers, Sherrill L.; Neighbors, Harold W.
Journal of Health and Social Behavior, v49 n1 p92-103 Mar 2008
Although many scholars have theorized about how responding to the stress of blocked opportunities can affect the well-being of black Americans, few scholars have empirically examined the relationships between striving efforts, personal goals, and mental health among black Americans. This investigation examines the relationship between goal-striving stress and mental health in a national sample of black Americans. Results indicate that goal-striving stress is significantly related to lower levels of happiness, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and higher levels of psychological distress. We find that poverty status moderates the relationship between goal-striving stress and mental health. Compared to poorer persons, individuals above poverty with high goal-striving stress have significantly lower levels of happiness and life satisfaction. Overall, the findings provide a more complete context for understanding associations among socio-economic status, goal-striving stress, and adverse mental health outcomes among black Americans. (Contains 3 tables and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Poverty, Life Satisfaction, Mental Health, Psychological Patterns, Goal Orientation, African Americans, Well Being, Correlation, Stress Variables, Self Esteem, Socioeconomic Influences, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Marital Status, Place of Residence
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A