Race, ethnicity, and psychological theory and research

The Impact of Gender on Configurations of Care among Married Elderly Couples

This article analyzes data from the Supplement on Aging of the National Health Interview Survey to examine gender differences in the configuration of care among married elderly couples living in two-person households. The rational choice model provides the conceptual framework for the analysis. Results support the hypothesis that husband caregivers are more likely to incorporate extra-household assistance than are wife caregivers. There were no gender differences, however, in the source of extra-household assistance.

Early Retirement and Functional Impairment from a Multi-Ethnic Perspective

The overall purpose of the present study was to identify differences between the early retired and the nonretired among three ethnic groups: Whites, Blacks, and Mexican Americans. Analysis focused on a community-based sample of 1,146 residents of San Diego County aged 45 to 64 years. Three categories of variables that were hypothesized to contribute to early retirement were examined: demographic characteristics, self-reported health measures, and Older American Resource and Service (OARS)based objective summary ratings of functional impairment. Results were consistent with the literature and indicated that functional impairment was higher for the early retired within each of the ethnic groups. For both retirement status groups, Mexican Americans reported the most impairment of the three ethnic groups. Discriminant analysis was used to identify the predictive value of the three categories of variables for early retirement status and yielded the following results: age, gender, and the mental health OARS objective functional-impairment score were the only significant discriminators for all groups. Mexican Americans appeared to have the greatest variety of factors contributing to early retirement status, with fewer variables involved for Blacks and fewer still for Whites.

A community needs assessment among Asian American elders

Despite a significant increase in the size of the Asian American elderly population, little is known about their social service needs and the level of service being provided them. This study used a survey methodology to examine all Asian American senior programs (N=20) in a major American metropolitan region. The response rate was 90% with respondent agencies serving as the unit of analysis. Findings suggest that Asian elderly clients were primarily women and 'old-old', and that many of them were on SSI. Services provided were primarily tangible and facilitative, rather than clinical. Services needed but not provided were emergency psychiatric care, home attendants, home-delivered meals, legal services, medical services, and protective services. Findings of this study provide useful information for further research and program planning for Asian American elders in urban settings.

Psychometric analysis of racial differences on the Maudsley Obsessional Compulsive Inventory

Black university students scored significantly higher than White students on the Maudsley Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (MOCI). They tended to endorse more Cleaning and Checking subscale items in the pathological direction. Subsequent analyses examined whether this finding is a reflection of valid group differences in the prevalence of OCD or a psychometric artifact. Structured interviews were conducted to determine the correspondence of MOCI scores with OCD diagnoses. The race difference in endorsement frequency on the MOCI did not extend to OCD diagnoses. The MOCI scores showed modest predictive validity in Whites, but they did not predict interview-based diagnoses in Blacks. Multivariate item response theory was then employed to examine race differences in the Cleaning and Checking subscales. Equivalent item discrimination parameters fit the data for Black and White participants for both subscales. A more restrictive model in which relative item difficulties were also constrained to be equal for Black and White participants did not fit. This interaction between race and item difficulty suggests that the items do not have equivalent psychometric properties in Blacks and Whites.

Precompetition anxiety in Chinese athletes

Precompetition anxiety and self-confidence were investigated in a sample of 132 male and 103 female Shanghai college athletes. The participants were administered the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 of Martens, et al. 30 to 40 min. before competing in important track and field events or basketball games. Analysis by independent t tests showed that there were no sex differences in scores on the Cognitive Anxiety, Somatic Anxiety, or Self-confidence subscales; however, compared to those in team sports (basketball), athletes competing individually (track and field) scored significantly higher on the Somatic Anxiety subscale and significantly lower on the Self-confidence subscale. Comparisons with data from comparable North American samples indicated that Chinese athletes reported lower scores on Cognitive Anxiety and Somatic Anxiety but similar scores on Self-confidence.

Preparing for the 21st century: diversity in nursing education, research, and practice

This article presents issues surrounding nursing research, education, and practice as they relate to the changing demographics in American society. The authors suggest that cultural diversity should be a key element in all components of nursing. They present challenges to nurse researchers, educators, and practitioners regarding the essential need to be sensitive about cultural diversity. They further suggest that the 21st century will emerge with demographic shifts that include larger groups of ethnic individuals and families. These ethnic groups will be both care providers and recipients of care. Recommendations are suggested to prepare for diversity in America health care systems.

Latinas with arthritis: effects of illness, role identity, and competence on psychological well-being

Tested a theoretical model on the effects of social role identity, illness intrusion, and competence on psychological well-being among 109 low-income Latinas with arthritis. All six roles studied were rated as highly important identities. Sex-role nontraditionalism was associated with less importance of the homemaker, mother, and grandmother roles. Negative affect increased as a function of intrusions into valued identities. Having important role identities contributed to feelings of competence (i.e., self-esteem and self-efficacy), which in turn, contributed to psychological well-being. Competence also mediated the effects of pain, identity, and illness intrusions on psychological well-being. Results suggest competence processes play an important role in well-being.