Effects of racial discrimination and health behaviors on mental and physical health of middle-class African American men

Health Educ Behav. 2009 Feb;36(1):31-44. doi: 10.1177/1090198106293526. Epub 2006 Nov 27.

Abstract

This research is an examination of the effects of racial discrimination and health-promoting behaviors on the physical and mental health of a sample of 399 well-educated African American men. One would think that the attainment of higher education would increase health-promoting behaviors and might decrease discriminatory experiences that impact health. However, regression analysis indicated a more complex picture. Health-promoting behaviors were positively related to mental health, whereas experiences of racial discrimination contributed to poorer mental health. Relationships between health-promoting behaviors and that of racial discrimination to physical health were found to be nonsignificant. In conclusion, the authors discuss the importance of culturally appropriate health-promotion efforts.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cultural Competency
  • Educational Status
  • Health Behavior / ethnology*
  • Health Promotion / methods
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Men's Health / ethnology*
  • Mental Health*
  • Prejudice
  • Race Relations / psychology*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk-Taking
  • Social Class