Greenburg 15

Question 1

Acculturation stress

Answer 1

Language barrier can result in difficulty finding job or well-paying job
•Family cultural clashes where some family members adapt behavior consistent with US culture which differs from traditional culture
•If living in inner city, can be exposed to possibly higher levels of crime
– and even “hate crimes,” a crime against people based upon their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion

Question 2

Health disparities

Answer 2

Minority groups often have higher levels of poorer health than whites.
•Infant mortality (death of infants before age 1) is twice as high among African Americans than whites
•Greater heart disease among African Americans than whites
•Greater obesity and high blood pressure among Hispanics than whites

Life expectancy: number of years person is expected to live
–African Americans have lower than whites
•Years of potential life lost: measure of premature death; number of years between when a person is expected to live and the age of death
–AIDS and homicides are leading causes of death among African Americans and this does not exist among whites or other minority groups in the US
•High blood pressure

HIV/AIDS
–Among those with AIDS, there is a high percentage of African Americans
•Cancer
–Higher rates of cancer among African Americans than whites; American Indians have highest rates of kidney cancers
•Mental health
–Suicide: among young adults, highest rates for American Indians
–Homicide: higher rates for African Americans than whites; decreases by age 40

Question 3

Poverty and education level

Answer 3

Poverty and educational level are related and are associated with poorer health
•Lower educational level is associated with lower income levels
•The lower the socioeconomic level, the poorer the health status
•Women usually earn less money than men
•Racism, older age, and/or disability status can also be associated with lower income levels

Question 4

Family life

Answer 4

Two important factors of family life that are related to stress development
–Homelessness
•3.5 million homeless at some time during the year
•The number of homeless is increasing
–Family structure
•Higher socioeconomic status allows for the option of day care, lack of stress about money and food, and less concern about being able to afford health care
•Stress can lead to one-parent or n

Question 5

Racism

Answer 5

• Racism: Minorities can be exposed to racial prejudice from others.
• Health impact of racism: anger, psychological distress, stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure

Question 6

Culture conflicts

Answer 6

one’s traditional culture is different than the culture of the majority in the United States. This behavior can lead to stress.
–African Americans believe that not looking someone in the eye is recognition of authority while whites interpret it as shifty and not reliable
–Hispanics often touch others in non-romantic relationships while among whites this is not done and often interpreted as inappropriate

Question 7

Stress challenging minorities

Answer 7

Minorities often have higher levels of stress than whites
Higher stress related to:
•Money concerns
•Fear of crime or violence
•Spouse or partner
•Mistreatment of family member for race or cultural reasons