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Journal article
The role of work in gender identity, stress and health in low-income, middle-aged African-American men
Health promotion international, v 36(5), pp 1231-1242
13 Oct 2021
PMID: 33370427
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Although progress has been made in reducing disparities in life expectancy, addressing the persistence of health inequities by race remains a high priority for public health professionals. The purpose of this research was to refine a minority stress model (MSM) by identifying previously unrecognized factors contributing to stress and chronic disease health disparities among low-income middle-aged African-American men. Using a Community-Based Participatory Research approach, we conducted semi-structured individual health interviews with 42 low-income middle-aged African-American men in a mid-size New England city. The interviews focused on the participants' perceptions of the causes of health disparities. Four major themes emerged from the analysis: the positive aspects of work, both financial and symbolic; and the negative repercussions of not working, both financial and symbolic in terms of a sense of self-respect. On an instrumental level, working men can support their family, be physically active and find social support. Symbolically, work provides a positive sense of identity as a man; it offers both social- and self-respect; it provides discipline and a sense of gratitude. Conversely, the lack of work is a significant source of stress, stemming both from the inability to support one's family and from having nothing to do, which lead to depression, low self-esteem, suicidal ideation and anger. With no perceived viable routes to socially approved roles, many low-income men of color succumb to internalizing a negative identity. This research demonstrates a clear link between structural problems with the US economy and harms to sense of identity among low-income, middle-aged African-American men.
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Details
- Title
- The role of work in gender identity, stress and health in low-income, middle-aged African-American men
- Creators
- Dean Robinson - University of Massachusetts AmherstLuis Valdez - University of Massachusetts AmherstLamont Scott - University of Massachusetts AmherstDavid Buchanan - University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Publication Details
- Health promotion international, v 36(5), pp 1231-1242
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Grant note
- R01 MD010618 / NIMHD NIH HHS 5R01MD010618 / National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) of the National Institutes of Health
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000711692700004
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85118903704
- Other Identifier
- 991021895813604721
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- Web of Science research areas
- Health Policy & Services
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health