Date of Award
Summer 8-21-2015
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
PhD Counseling Psychology
Department
Professional Psychology and Family Therapy
Advisor
Laura Palmer, Ph.D
Committee Member
John Smith, Ed.D
Committee Member
Eunyoung Kim, Ph.D
Committee Member
Ben Beitin, Ph.D
Committee Member
Elaine Walker, Ph.D
Keywords
Bicultural stress, adults, depression, social support, education, African descent, mental health
Abstract
Studies investigating the bicultural experiences of people of African descent are significantly underrepresented in the literature. The primary purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the relationship between experiences of bicultural stress and mental well-being. In investigating this relationship, perceived social support and education were examined as protective factors, and its relationship to bicultural stress for this population. With the ultimate goal of this information contributing to the understanding of bicultural processes within this population and the relationship to mental health outcomes. A non-experimental (non-randomized) research design was utilized to examine the study research questions and hypotheses. The participants include self-identified bicultural adults of African descent. Correlational and regression analyses indicated that in the study’s sample: (a) bicultural stress was related to symptoms of depression, perceived social support and education, (b) symptoms of depression were correlated with bicultural stressors, (c) social support and education served as protective factors against endorsement of depressive symptoms, (d) social support and education were correlated. The findings from this study may help to elucidate mental health outcomes as it relates to bicultural experiences among people of African descent. The findings may also serve to highlight culturally-sensitive approaches and information that better inform psychologists and health practitioners in serving this population. Furthermore, the findings of this study supports continued research that seeks to address the bicultural experiences of this diverse subgroup as it relates to mental health outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Berhe, Zemed Beraki, "Examining The Relationship between Bicultural Stress, Mental Well-Being, Perceived Social Support, and Education Among People of African Descent" (2015). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 2057.
https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/2057
