Conceptualizing perceived racism and its effect on the health of African-Americans: implications for practice and research.
The focus on racial health inequities has resurged. Although the reasons are complex, the consequences of racism are potentially contributing factors. This article aims to advance the concept of perceived racism as an area of focus for health inequity research by describing a framework within which to examine health outcomes that are associated with perceived racism. Perceived racism is defined as the subjective interpretation by the effected individual of an event, situation, or experience as negative, unjust, or undignified and one that solely occurs due to one's racial background. The framework establishes race as a determinant in health outcomes and it depicts the multidimensional contexts of racism. The model identifies physical, psychological, and behavioral pathways affecting health outcomes and personal, cultural, and social resources as mediating factors. Perceived racism can potentially permeate the lives of African-Americans and can profoundly impact their health and well being. The principles of concept clarification were applied to explore the association between perceived racism and health.
Dailey
Dawn E
DE
University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. dedailey@sbcglobal.net
D044383:Black People; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011287:Prejudice; D014481:United States; D001741:Black or African American