COPING WITH MULTIPLE STRESSORS: A CLOSER LOOK AT PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG RACIAL MINORITIES

Abstract

This study examined a comprehensive stress and coping model in a sample of 414 racial minority participants in the U.S. Specifically, this study looked at main effects: a) racism-related stress, b) financial stress, c) problem-solving coping, d) avoidance coping and interaction effects: e) racism-related stress and financial stress, f) racism-related stress and problem-solving, g) racism-related stress and avoidance coping, h) financial stress and problem-solving coping, and i) financial stress and avoidance coping in relation to psychological distress in a comprehensive model. A latent variable path analysis of the comprehensive model and post-hoc latent variable path analyses were conducted after diving the larger model into three smaller models. The results showed that racism-related stress, financial stress, and avoidance coping were significant predictors of psychological distress. Moreover, problem-solving coping worked as a significant moderator and stress-buffer between racism-related stress and psychological distress. An extensive literature review of conceptual and methodological elements of the study constructs are presented. Limitations of this study as well as future directions in research and clinical practice are also included.