title: Direct and moderating effects of community context on the psychological well-being of African American women.
abstract: The effects of community characteristics on well-being were examined among 709 African American women. Direct and moderating effects of neighborhood characteristics on distress were tested. Aggregate-level ratings of neighborhood cohesion and disorder were significantly related to distress, although the relation between cohesion and distress became nonsignificant when individual risk factors were statistically controlled. Aggregate-level neighborhood variables interacted significantly with individual risk and resource variables in the prediction of distress, consistent with trait-situation interaction theories (D. Magnusson & N. S. Endler, 1977). Community cohesion intensified the benefits of a positive life outlook. Community disorder intensified both the benefits of personal resources and the detrimental effects of personal risk factors. Results showed evidence of resilience among African American women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Institute for Social and Behavioral Research, Iowa State University, Ames 50010, USA. ccutrona@iastate.edu
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Cutrona
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hessling
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Murry
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012931:Social Environment; D012933:Social Identification; D012944:Social Support