Black-White Differences in the Reciprocal Relationship Between Perceived Discrimination and Psychological Distress

ABSTRACT

We formulate a MIDUS longitudinal data-based multi-population LISREL model to gauge variation among Black and White Americans in the reciprocal relationship across time between perceived major and everyday discrimination, and psychological distress. Two hypotheses building on prior theory and empirical findings are generated: reciprocity between perceived discrimination and distress, and stronger reciprocity among Blacks. Here, “reciprocity” denotes positive effects of perceived discrimination and mental health problems such as distress on each other across time. Both hypotheses are supported for relationships between perceived everyday discrimination and distress. The model controls for several potentially relevant variables.

KEYWORDS:

• Perceived discrimination
• psychological distress
• African-Americans
• stress and coping
• race

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. It bears acknowledging that even if the impact of perceived discrimination on distress initiates the anticipated feedback loop between both constructs among Blacks especially, such sequencing is not decipherable with the two-wave data source utilized here.

2. Since the latent variable scores representing each multi-item construct at the structural phase are standardized variables centered on within-race means, both races have identical means and standard deviations (0 and 1 respectively) for each latent variable score. Their utilization during this preliminary analysis was therefore unfeasible. Multi-item indexes used in this phase are thus averages of constituent indicators, with relevant “positively” or “negatively” worded items reverse-coded prior to computation.

3. Continuous constructs created by MIDUS personnel that tap GAD and MDD exposure are utilized in these analyses. Zero signals the absence of the referenced disorder at a survey wave. Non-zero values signal the likely presence, with higher values indicating greater severity. These disorder constructs reflect criteria specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Disorders, Third Edition-Revised (DSM-III-R) (ICPSR 2007:11–15).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gary Oates

Gary Oates is Associate Professor of Sociology at Bowling Green State University. His research is motivated by interest in the reciprocal relationship between social structural variables, and individuals’ orientations and traits that bear upon social problems. Race and race-related factors are the main structural variables addressed in his work.

Alfred DeMaris

Alfred DeMaris is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at Bowling Green State University and statistical consultant for the department’s Center for Family and Demographic Research. His substantive interests are in heterosexual intimate relationships. His statistical concentration is on causal inference in regression modeling.