In the present study, we examined the role of racial discrimination, social support (viz., family and friends), and hope (viz., agency and pathways) in accounting for negative psychological adjustment (viz., anxious and depressive symptoms) and positive psychological adjustment (viz., vitality and life satisfaction) in a sample of 249 African Americans. Overall, results of conducting a series of hierarchical regression analyses provided some evidence for the role of racial discrimination and social support in accounting for both negative and positive psychological adjustment. Noteworthy, the inclusion of hope was found to significantly augment the prediction models of psychological adjustment. Within the hope set, agency was consistently found to uniquely account for adjustment. In contrast, pathways was only found to uniquely account for vitality. Beyond affirming the importance of racial discrimination and social support, the present findings highlight the added value of considering hope, especially agency, in understanding positive and negative psychological adjustment in African Americans. Implications of the present findings for understanding the role of racial discrimination, social support, and hope in the psychological adjustment of African American adults are discussed.

The impact of race within the American criminal justice system has seen long-term debate and has been studied by numerous social scientists. This dissertation examines the criminal justice system by analyzing data created by the Tennessee courts to determine whether race impacts the administration of Tennessee’s death penalty. This dissertation examines whether race impacts the overall administration of Tennessee’s death penalty, a Tennessee prosecutor’s decision to seek death, and a Tennessee jury’s decision to impose death. The impact of race at each stage is analyzed by logistic regression to isolate the defendant’s race, the victim’s race, and the racial interaction between them. Prior empirical research shows black defendants whose victims are white are more likely to receive death than white defendants whose victims are white. Prior research shows defendants whose victims are white, regardless of the race of the defendant, are more likely to receive death than when victims are black. The regression analyses reveal after controlling for heinousness of crime and the defendant’s dangerousness that race is not a predictive factor in whether defendants are sentenced to death in the overall application of the death penalty. The findings show that white victim murders, irrespective of the defendant’s race, have slight predictive power in whether prosecutors seek the death penalty, but white victim cases have the least predictive power of all variables that impact prosecutorial decisions. Murders involving black defendants and white victims, irrespective of their racial relationship, decrease the likelihood a jury will return a death sentence. When testing the racial interaction of defendants and victims, the only relationship that is a significant predictor in the Tennessee death penalty are murders with white defendants and white victims. Based on qualitative data from interviews with Knox County criminal court judges, this can be explained by heinousness of crime.

Bacterial Vaginosis is an inbalance of vaginal flora which has been associated with increased risk of numerous gynecological and obstetric morbidities including increased risk of acquisition of HIV from an infected partner and increased risk of preterm delivery. Black race has been consistently identified as a risk factor for BV. Black women also suffer from significant disparities in most of the morbidities also associated with BV when compared to women of other ethnicities and races. Traditional predictors of BV such as douching practices and sexual behaviors do not fully account for the racial disparities in BV prevalence. Researchers have begun to explore the potential relationship between stress and BV. Also, perceived racism has been identified as a potential stressor contributing to the health outcomes of Black women. The purpose of this study was to test a predictive model of bacterial vaginosis among Black women. The Allostatic Load Model was the theoretical framework. Participants (N=94) completed a self administered questionnaire and interview including measures of perceived stress, preceived racism, behavioral responses to stress and specific behavioral responses to racism along with traditional predictors of BV. Measurement scales included the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, the John Henryism Scale of Active Coping, the Everyday Perceived Racial Discrimination Index, the Experiences of Discrimination Scale and the Vines Telephone Administered Perceived Racism Scale (TPRS) which included a behavioral responses to racism subscale. Bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed utilizing a self-collected vaginal swab which was analyzed utilizing the BVBlue point of care testing kit. Twenty percent (N=19) of participants screened positive for bacterial vaginosis. Douching and sexual activity in the last three months and education were significantly associated with bacterial vaginosis. Age, income, hormonal contraceptive use and condom use were not associated with BV. Neither perceived stress nor perceived racism were associated with bacterial vaginosis. After logistic regression analysis, only education continued to be a significant predictor of BV. The lack of an association between BV and the main study variables may have been related to young age of the sample or the low rates of high perceived stress and high perceived racism. Perceived stress was positively associated with perceived racism and behavioral responses to stress. This association is likely a reflection of the stressful nature of perceived racism. Further research is needed to better understand how the stressful nature of racism and behavioral responses to stressors may influence health outcomes and if interventions can be utilized to promote adaptive behavioral responses.

This research analyzes welfare conditions of Afro-Colombians vis-à-vis non Afro-Colombians using Amartya Sen's Capability Approach as the theoretical framework, and the latent variable modeling as the empirical method. Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes (MIMIC) models are estimated using data from the Colombian Quality of Life Survey, 2003. Two latent constructs, namely, 'knowledge' and 'being adequately sheltered', represent the two 'Capability' dimensions to be analyzed. Ethnic background appears to have a consistently negative influence after controlling statistically by a set of relevant variables (e.g. being poor, area, marital status, age and gender, among others) included in the models as exogenous "causes" or "determinants" of each capability dimension. This implies that the capability set or the freedom an Afro-descendant enjoys in achieving the life he or she wants in terms of 'knowledge' and 'shelter' is consistently lower than that of a non Afro-descendant (whites and mestizos). As a consequence, achieved welfare or functioning achievement as expressed in terms of aspects such as years of education or dwelling conditions in the household is and would be consistently lower for individual members of this ethnic group. This evidence points toward the proposition that embedded patterns of racial discrimination are limiting Afro-Colombian capabilities and individual agency, beyond income levels or even access to educational resources. Hence, from a capability perspective removing racial discrimination must be an explicit objective of developmental policy. Accordingly, national policy must be directed not only to improving access for Afro-Colombians to resources and economic wellbeing, as traditional analysis of class disparity argues, but also toward the nurturing and expansion of the real freedom they have to pursue the goals they value. Thus, development policy in Colombia must altogether work toward the improvement of resource access for Afro-descendants and toward the creation of specific mechanisms to enforce the judicial instruments to fight against racial discrimination. These laws and judicial mechanisms were created to open spaces for political, social and economic participation for this population group on an equal basis, as their fellow citizens of non African descent, and are yet to be fulfilled.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, Dept. of Public Health, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Concerns the Hmong people in the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Turkmens in Iraq. / UN Job no.: G0511801 E. Material type: NGO written statements. Issued under agenda item 6, agenda document E/CN.4/2005/1. Issued under agenda item 6a, agenda document E/CN.4/2005/1.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / A autoavaliação do estado de saúde (AAS) é um indicador de saúde amplamente utilizado e influenciado por uma grande variedade de fatores. Em particular, existem evidências crescentes de que a discriminação racial é um importante fator de risco para eventos mórbidos em saúde e seu impacto na saúde da população brasileira ainda é pouco explorado. No primeiro artigo, o objetivo principal é investigar a associação entre AAS e fatores sociodemográficos, comportamentais e de morbidade. No segundo artigo, o objetivo é estimar a associação entre discriminação racial e diferentes desfechos em saúde, a saber, AAS, morbidade física e depressão ajustando por variáveis sociodemográficas, comportamentos relacionados à saúde e Índice de Massa Corporal, na população de pretos e pardos. O presente estudo possui delineamento seccional, baseado nos dados do inquérito de abrangência nacional Pesquisa Dimensão Social das Desigualdades. Os entrevistados responderam a questionários estruturados e suas medidas antropométricas foram aferidas. No primeiro artigo, foram avaliados 12.324 indivíduos, entre chefes de família e cônjuges, com idade maior ou igual a 20 anos. No segundo artigo, foram avaliados 3.863 chefes de família que responderam a pergunta sobre discriminação racial e que se classificaram como pretos e pardos. AAS foi avaliada por meio de pergunta obtida do instrumento de qualidade de vida SF-36 e, para o primeiro artigo, foi analisada de forma dicotômica em AAS boa (categorias de resposta excelente, muito boa e boa) e AAS ruim (categorias de resposta razoável e ruim). No segundo artigo, esse desfecho foi analisado utilizando-se as 5 categorias de resposta. As análises foram realizadas utilizando-se modelos de regressão logística uni e multivariados, para dados binários (artigo 1) ou ordinais (artigo 2). Os resultados foram apresentados na forma de Odds Ratios com os respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança. Maior faixa etária, analfabetismo, tabagismo, obesidade e doenças crônicas estiveram associados a maior chance de AAS ruim. Para cada incremento na faixa de renda, observou-se uma redução de 20% na chance de relatar AAS ruim. Atividade física esteve associada a menor chance de AAS ruim. No segundo artigo, exposição à discriminação racial esteve associada com aumento na chance de relato de pior AAS, de morbidade física e de depressão. O presente estudo identificou a influência de diversos fatores sociais, demográficos, comportamentos relacionados à saúde e morbidade física na AAS. O estudo demonstrou ainda que a discriminação racial está associada negativamente aos três desfechos em saúde avaliados (AAS, morbidade física e depressão). Esses resultados podem traçar um perfil de subgrupos populacionais mais vulneráveis, ou seja, com maior risco de contrair doenças ou de procurar o serviço de saúde por uma doença já existente, auxiliando na definição de populações-alvo para o adequado planejamento de políticas e de programas de promoção de saúde. / Self-rated health (SRH) is a health indicator widely used in surveys and affected by many factors. There is increasing evidence showing that racial discrimination is an important risk factor for morbid events on health and its impact on health of the Brazilian population is still poorly understood. In the first paper, the main purpose is to investigate the association between SRH and social and demographic factors, health behaviors and morbidity. In the second paper, the main purpose is to estimate the association between racial discrimination and different health outcomes, such as: SRH, physical morbidity and depression, controlling for social and demographic variables, health behaviors and Body Mass Index, in the population of blacks and mullatoes. This study has a cross-sectional design and is based on data obtained from the national survey Research for Social Dimension of Inequalities. The interviewees answered to a structured questionnaire and had their anthropometric measures collected. In the first paper, 12,324 household chiefs and their spouses, aged 20 years or older, were evaluated. In the second paper, the study population was composed of 3,863 family chiefs who answered to the question about racial discrimination and who classified themselves as blacks or mullatoes. The measurement of SRH was based on the question obtained from the SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire. For the first paper, SRH was treated as a dichotomous variable: Good (categories: Excellent, Very Good and Good) and Poor (Regular and Bad). For the second paper, the five original categories were considered. Analysis will be developed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models for binary (paper 1) and ordinal data (paper 2). Results were presented in the form of Odds Ratios and respective 95% confidence intervals. Older age, illiteracy, smoking habits, obesity and chronic diseases were associated to higher chances of having poor SRH. As income increased, it was observed a reduction of 20% in the chance of having poor SRH. Physical activity was associated to a lower chance of having poor SRH. In the second paper, racial discrimination was associated to a higher chance of having: poor SRH, physical morbidity and depression. The present study identified the influence of several social and demographic factors, health behaviors, and physical morbidity in SRH. Individuals with poor SRH will compose the health services demand. It also showed that racial discrimination was negatively associated to the three evaluated health outcomes (SRH, physical morbidity and depression). These results may trace profiles of vulnerable population subgroups, that is, people with higher risks of becoming ill or of searching for health services because of an existent disease. This find may help in the definitions of target populations for the adequate establishment of health planning and programs

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / A autoavaliação do estado de saúde (AAS) é um indicador de saúde amplamente utilizado e influenciado por uma grande variedade de fatores. Em particular, existem evidências crescentes de que a discriminação racial é um importante fator de risco para eventos mórbidos em saúde e seu impacto na saúde da população brasileira ainda é pouco explorado. No primeiro artigo, o objetivo principal é investigar a associação entre AAS e fatores sociodemográficos, comportamentais e de morbidade. No segundo artigo, o objetivo é estimar a associação entre discriminação racial e diferentes desfechos em saúde, a saber, AAS, morbidade física e depressão ajustando por variáveis sociodemográficas, comportamentos relacionados à saúde e Índice de Massa Corporal, na população de pretos e pardos. O presente estudo possui delineamento seccional, baseado nos dados do inquérito de abrangência nacional Pesquisa Dimensão Social das Desigualdades. Os entrevistados responderam a questionários estruturados e suas medidas antropométricas foram aferidas. No primeiro artigo, foram avaliados 12.324 indivíduos, entre chefes de família e cônjuges, com idade maior ou igual a 20 anos. No segundo artigo, foram avaliados 3.863 chefes de família que responderam a pergunta sobre discriminação racial e que se classificaram como pretos e pardos. AAS foi avaliada por meio de pergunta obtida do instrumento de qualidade de vida SF-36 e, para o primeiro artigo, foi analisada de forma dicotômica em AAS boa (categorias de resposta excelente, muito boa e boa) e AAS ruim (categorias de resposta razoável e ruim). No segundo artigo, esse desfecho foi analisado utilizando-se as 5 categorias de resposta. As análises foram realizadas utilizando-se modelos de regressão logística uni e multivariados, para dados binários (artigo 1) ou ordinais (artigo 2). Os resultados foram apresentados na forma de Odds Ratios com os respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança. Maior faixa etária, analfabetismo, tabagismo, obesidade e doenças crônicas estiveram associados a maior chance de AAS ruim. Para cada incremento na faixa de renda, observou-se uma redução de 20% na chance de relatar AAS ruim. Atividade física esteve associada a menor chance de AAS ruim. No segundo artigo, exposição à discriminação racial esteve associada com aumento na chance de relato de pior AAS, de morbidade física e de depressão. O presente estudo identificou a influência de diversos fatores sociais, demográficos, comportamentos relacionados à saúde e morbidade física na AAS. O estudo demonstrou ainda que a discriminação racial está associada negativamente aos três desfechos em saúde avaliados (AAS, morbidade física e depressão). Esses resultados podem traçar um perfil de subgrupos populacionais mais vulneráveis, ou seja, com maior risco de contrair doenças ou de procurar o serviço de saúde por uma doença já existente, auxiliando na definição de populações-alvo para o adequado planejamento de políticas e de programas de promoção de saúde. / Self-rated health (SRH) is a health indicator widely used in surveys and affected by many factors. There is increasing evidence showing that racial discrimination is an important risk factor for morbid events on health and its impact on health of the Brazilian population is still poorly understood. In the first paper, the main purpose is to investigate the association between SRH and social and demographic factors, health behaviors and morbidity. In the second paper, the main purpose is to estimate the association between racial discrimination and different health outcomes, such as: SRH, physical morbidity and depression, controlling for social and demographic variables, health behaviors and Body Mass Index, in the population of blacks and mullatoes. This study has a cross-sectional design and is based on data obtained from the national survey Research for Social Dimension of Inequalities. The interviewees answered to a structured questionnaire and had their anthropometric measures collected. In the first paper, 12,324 household chiefs and their spouses, aged 20 years or older, were evaluated. In the second paper, the study population was composed of 3,863 family chiefs who answered to the question about racial discrimination and who classified themselves as blacks or mullatoes. The measurement of SRH was based on the question obtained from the SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire. For the first paper, SRH was treated as a dichotomous variable: Good (categories: Excellent, Very Good and Good) and Poor (Regular and Bad). For the second paper, the five original categories were considered. Analysis will be developed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models for binary (paper 1) and ordinal data (paper 2). Results were presented in the form of Odds Ratios and respective 95% confidence intervals. Older age, illiteracy, smoking habits, obesity and chronic diseases were associated to higher chances of having poor SRH. As income increased, it was observed a reduction of 20% in the chance of having poor SRH. Physical activity was associated to a lower chance of having poor SRH. In the second paper, racial discrimination was associated to a higher chance of having: poor SRH, physical morbidity and depression. The present study identified the influence of several social and demographic factors, health behaviors, and physical morbidity in SRH. Individuals with poor SRH will compose the health services demand. It also showed that racial discrimination was negatively associated to the three evaluated health outcomes (SRH, physical morbidity and depression). These results may trace profiles of vulnerable population subgroups, that is, people with higher risks of becoming ill or of searching for health services because of an existent disease. This find may help in the definitions of target populations for the adequate establishment of health planning and programs

A proposta principal é a superação da discriminação racial nas instituições de ensino, analisar as formas mais comuns de expressar o racismo na sociedade contemporânea. As discussões abordam estereótipos existentes, bem como a importância de usar a lei para combater a discriminação. Isso envolve uma discussão sobre a legislação judicial e a importância da educação para se alcançar melhor qualidade de vida. É necessário melhorar a qualidade do corpo docente com intuito de melhorar as aulas, para que sejam mais significativas nesse processo de combate ao racismo no ambiente escolar em um primeiro momento, para que possa refletir na sociedade como um todo. Isso possibilidade e garantir que os afrodescendentes se tornem parte do sistema de ensino superior. / The main purpose is a comprehensive proposal to overcome racial discrimination in the school system and analyses the most common ways that racism is expressed nowadays in society. Discussions include existing stereotypes as well as the importance of using the law to fight discrimination. This involves a discussion of judicial legislation. The growing importance of education in terms of helping to achieve better living standards is explored. These include raising the quality of the teaching staff and raising the quality of the classes, as both of these actions are considered to be very useful in assuring that Afro-descendents become part of the higher education system.

abstract: International adoption in the U.S. remains a viable option for families who wish to build or expand their families; however, it has not been without controversy. Past research has sought to understand the initial and long-term psychological adjustment and racial/ethnic identity development of international and transracial adoptees. Research shows that pre-adoption adversity may be linked to the development of behavior and emotional problems, and opponents assert that international adoption strips children of their culture. Emerging research has focused on cultural socialization practices and how international and transracial adoptive families acknowledge or reject ethnic and racial differences within the family. An area less understood is how international and transracial adoptees cope with racism, prejudice, racial discrimination, and stereotyping. This study explores, using qualitative methods, the ways in which international and transracial adoptees experience and cope with racism, prejudice, racial discrimination and/or stereotyping. The personal stories of ten adult Korean adoptees are highlighted with particular attention to how interactions with adoptive family members and peers influence adoptees’ identity development, how adoptees resolve conflicts in terms of “fitting in,” and how parental/familial influence mitigates the effects of racism and racial discrimination. The study concludes with a discussion on implications for social work practice. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Social Work 2015