Muroff J, Spencer MS, Ross AM, Williams DR, Neighbors HW, Jackson JS. Race, Gender, and Conceptualizations of Fear.
PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY-RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2014;
45:153-162. [PMID:
26538802 PMCID:
PMC4629513 DOI:
10.1037/a0036236]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This study used qualitative methods and quantitative statistical analyses to examine whether race and gender are associated with reasons for which adults perceive a situation or object as fearful. The sample consists of 197 African-American and White adults (ages 18-85) recruited through a convenience sample and community sources in the Midwest. A cognitive interviewing instrument was utilized to examine respondents understanding of words and phrases from a mental health instrument. Using qualitative methods, free-response answers were content coded using 5 "fear-codes" (i.e., harm/danger, external locus of control, self-perception, and past experience), developed by the researchers. Results from logistic regression analyses indicate that race significantly predicts usage of specific fear codes (p<.05). In addition, a race by gender interaction was found.
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