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Stress, coping, HIV status, psychosocial resources, and depressive mood in African American gay, bisexual, and heterosexual men
Author(s) -
Peterson John L.,
Folkman Susan,
Bakeman Roger
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1007/bf02506793
Subject(s) - psychosocial , psychology , stressor , clinical psychology , social support , coping (psychology) , sexual orientation , health psychology , mood , psychological intervention , distress , sexual minority , minority stress , mental health , psychiatry , public health , medicine , social psychology , nursing
The associations between stress, physical health, psychosocial resources, coping, and depressive mood were examined in a community sample of African American gay, bisexual, and heterosexual men ( N =139). Data were collected from physical exams and in‐person interviews. In our theoretical framework, depressive mood scores were regressed first on stressors, next on psychosocial resources, and finally on coping strategy variables. Results revealed that psychosocial resources mediate the effects of stressors, including health symptoms, hassles, and life events, on depressive mood. There were no significant differences in depressive mood associated with HIV status or sexual orientation. Results are discussed in terms of community interventions needed to provide social support as a buffer between stress and psychological distress in African American men.