Influence of long-term racial environmental composition on subjective well-being in African Americans.
Two studies (N = 126, N = 114) of African Americans supported a model predicting that more racially segregated life contexts are associated with feelings of acceptance by other in-group members and, to a lesser extent, rejection by out-group members. In-group acceptance and out-group rejection in turn influenced identification with the in-group, which was a strong predictor of psychological well-being. Alternative models were not supported. Results suggest that environments that are segregated offer in-group support and acceptance, thereby protecting self-esteem against possible perils of rejection by a powerful out-group. Findings suggest that the improvement of intergroup relations should not be at the expense of intragroup relations.
Postmes
Tom
T
Amsterdam School of Communications Research, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. t.postmes@exeter.ac.uk
Branscombe
Nyla R
NR
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007615:Kansas; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011822:Race Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D012059:Rejection, Psychology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012649:Self Concept; D012933:Social Identification; D014481:United States