Dissertation
Relationships between experiences with racism, psychological homelessness, and mental health outcomes
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Dec 2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000319
Abstract
Race-based discrimination has negative implications for marginalized populations. In the United States, African Americans have been significantly impacted by racism due to the history and legacy of slavery and on-going oppression. While research shows that discrimination impacts the health and relational quality of Black/African Americans, the specific psychological mechanisms remain understudied. One such mechanism may be psychological homelessness described as a sense of disconnection, detachment, or being an outsider in one's own community/country. While psychological homelessness (PH) may be associated with poor health outcomes, a positive racial identity and a sense of belonging to one's racial/ethnic community has been shown to be a protective factor against discrimination distress. This study examined links between internal processes related to race-related marginalization focusing specifically on feelings of PH. To accomplish this goal, we adapted the only existing quantitative measure of PH, previously used with a Salvadoran population for use with Black/African American respondents. We collected data to test the validity and reliability of this adapted measure in an African American sample. In addition, and as part of exploring the psychometrics of the adapted measure, we explored associations between experiences of PH, perceived racism, mental and relational health, and dimensions of racial identity. Our results showed adequate reliability of the adapted measure and indicated that like racial identity, PH moderates the relationship between perceived racism and mental/relational health outcomes. The results of this study are important in understanding the experiences and impact of marginalization and especially as they are influenced by environmental/community context.
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Details
- Title
- Relationships between experiences with racism, psychological homelessness, and mental health outcomes
- Creators
- Forogh Rahim
- Contributors
- Ellen Stephanie Krauthamer Ewing (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vii, 52 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Counseling and Family Therapy; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014833549104721