Racial inequalities in health are well documented in the literature, specifically with respect to Blacks and Whites in the United States (U.S.) These stark racial differences in health may be explained by the weathering hypothesis, whereby Blacks experience earlier deterioration of health resulting from cumulative stress from living in a race-conscious society. Despite the abundance of research on the weathering hypothesis to account for racial disparities, few research studies have attempted to empirically test this theory as it relates to cardio-metabolic disease disparities. Using nationally representative data from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) and the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), the weathering hypothesis was examined in the context of cardio-metabolic disease disparities among a U.S. sample of Whites, African-Americans and Caribbean Blacks. This dissertation was organized into three main papers: The first paper (“Application of the Weathering Hypothesis: A Systematic Review of the Research”) is a systematic review of the existing literature that empirically tests the weathering hypothesis, which informed the methods in papers 2 and 3 of this dissertation. The second paper (“Cardio-Metabolic Disease Disparities: Comparisons between Caribbean Blacks, African-Americans and Whites to Test the Weathering Hypothesis”) tests the weathering hypothesis as an explanation for health disparities compared with other potential explanations (e.g. minority stress, socioeconomic status, health behaviors and genetics). The third paper (“Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cardio-metabolic Disease: The Role of Racial Group Identification and Discrimination-Specific Coping”) assesses whether and to what extent racial socialization factors (racial identity and coping strategies) affect racial disparities in cardio-metabolic disease, as well as influence the effect of racial discrimination on cardio-metabolic disease. The systematic review informs future studies of the weathering hypothesis as a comprehensive framework for understanding racial disparities in health outcomes, but highlights the need for additional studies examining the impact of weathering on health outcomes other than birth outcomes. In paper 2, the results showed some support for the weathering hypothesis, but the patterns were not fully consistent with the predictions of this hypothesis. The results in paper 3 revealed racial differences in racial socialization factors (racial identity and coping strategies), but these factors did not explain racial/ethnic disparities in cardio-metabolic disease. Future studies should examine the effect of structural racism on racial disparities in cardio-metabolic disease as another test of the weathering hypothesis.

The present study examined a model of Black Cultural Strength and its relation to psychosocial health (N = 496). The purpose of the current study was to test a model of Black Cultural Strength, an interdependent combination of Black racial identity, communalism, cultural spirituality, positive racial socialization, and effective racism-related coping. Further, the study sought to understand if Black Cultural Strength could predict psychosocial health, a combination of life satisfaction and psychological well-being. The Black Cultural Strength model, which was tested through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), hypothesized that higher levels of Black Cultural Strength lead to increased self-reported psychological well-being and life satisfaction. Results from this study indicated that Black Americans’ levels of mature racial identity, exposure to positive racial socialization (preparation for bias and cultural socialization), effective racism related coping (constrained resistance, empowered action, confrontation, and spiritual coping), culturally-based spirituality, and communalism were all interdependent and loaded onto one factor, Black Cultural Strength. Further, results showed that Black Cultural Strength was positively predictive of Blacks’ psychosocial health. Although the proposed hypotheses were supported, and an overall acceptable model fit was found, two modifications were made to the original proposed model. These modifications were conducted with theory and past empirical findings in consideration, therefore the current study provides strong evidence to support that interdependent Black cultural values are positively predictive of psychosocial health. Limitations, clinical implications, and further directions of research are discussed.

No description available.

A general study of testing with special focus on, and analysis of, tests being used in the primary grades by selected cities; the controversy concerning aptitude and intelligence testing as it applies particularly to genetic factors and race; and the identification and selection of ideas which would be of value to a first grade teacher seeking diverse and unusual ways to discover abilities and aptitudes in first grade children. Study covers in detail some of the controversy about racial intelligence as it concerns black and white Americans starting with interpretations and controversies that occurred after World War I, and also with current controversy about the same topic (racial intelligence)and the relative importance of genetic and environmental factors in the interpretation of test scores. Agreement among various authorities who have contrasting ideas of genetic factors and their influence is discussed along two basic lines of agreement: the belief that almost all children can learn basic skills, and that this learning can best be accomplished if diverse learning approaches are used. Study concludes with an identification of, and detailed description of teaching techniques which could be used by a first grade teacher who sought in diverse ways to discover aptitudes and abilities in her children.

Colorectal cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Early screening provides the best prospects for preventing the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. Nurses have the duty to promote health and prevent diseases. However, low rates of colorectal cancer screening continue to be reported, especially among African Americans who continue to suffer disproportionately from the disease. There is a need for a culturally-sensitive clinical practice guideline that nurses can use to educate patients appropriately on colorectal cancer. The practice focused question for this project was designed to explore whether a culturally-sensitive clinical practice guideline to increase colorectal cancer screening among African Americans could be developed using best practices. The health belief model informed the background, development, and implementation of this project. Evidence from peer-reviewed nursing literature was synthesized in a literature review matrix and then used to develop a clinical practice guideline to increase colorectal cancer screening. It is anticipated that this guideline will improve nursing practice by equipping nurses with the knowledge and skill to provide culturally-sensitive education on colorectal cancer and screening. Through the patient education and enhanced nursing practice stipulated in the clinical practice guideline, health care providers may work to eliminate disparities in colorectal cancer screening among African Americans.

African Americans who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) are discriminated against in the African American community. Sociodemographics such as income, education, age, and religion/spirituality have been shown to be associated with sexual prejudice. There is limited research on how African American cultural attitudes influence attitudes towards sexual orientation. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which demographic variables and African American cultural attitudes (measured by the African American Acculturation Scale-Revised; AAAS-R) predict attitudes toward sexual orientation in African American adults (measured by the Attitudes towards Lesbians and Gay Men Scale; ATLG). Social identity theory (SIT) was used to describe how group affiliation influences attitudes. A sample of African Americans who were 18 years or older (n = 236) completed the questionnaires online. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relative importance of demographics and cultural attitudes in predicting attitudes towards homosexuals and lesbians. The results of the study indicated that religious affiliation and religious beliefs and practices were statistically significant in predicting attitudes towards both homosexual and lesbian individuals. These findings suggest that individuals who identify as Christians and have stronger religious beliefs and practices are more likely to have negative attitudes towards lesbians and gay men. These results lend support to efforts to create programs to educate people about cultural misconceptions of the African American GLBT community and to encourage spiritual leaders to promote efforts support to them.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 1973. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 230-238). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 222-277).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file viewed on (Feb. 27, 2007). Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

African American children comprise 16.5 percent of all public school enrollments, but account for 27 percent of all students in Seriously Emotionally Disturbed (SED) classes (U. S. Dept of Education, 2001; U. S. Department of Education Ofice of Civil Rights, 1997). Being in such a position sets these children in the position of being assessed more often for placement and diagnostic purposes. Test instruments often use norms that either have not been standardized with African American children, or the cultural impact of African American socialization has not been validated with these children. In this investigation, the Rorschach was administered to 40 African American students of low-and middle-socioeconomic status. Comparisons were made between the Rorschach??s established norms for 9- and 11-year-olds and the study group of 40 African American male and female, 9- and 11-year-olds, to investigate any trends for the study group. In addition, the relative impact of acculturation on the Rorschach scores of this study??s participants was examined. Results revealed significant differences from the norm group on six of the 15 variables for the 11-year-olds in the study group, although not all significance was in the same direction, nor in the direction expected by the investigator. F+, and m were found in higher amounts for the study sample; CF, Pairs, Zf, and T were all found in significantly lower amounts for the study group. Significance on six (CF, Pairs, R-total, Zf, AG, and T) of the Rorschach variables investigated was found for the 9-year-old study group. There was no significance found due to the impact of acculturation for the entire study group. It may be that the 9-year-olds have a less sophisticated or negative "worldview" than their 11-year-old study group counterparts, or that when they are younger African American children perceive or process images more similar to their mainstream peers. Implications for further research and practice were discussed.