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Published on: June 10, 2018
Influence of long-term racial environmental composition on subjective well-being in African Americans
Tom Postmes1, Nyla R Branscombe
1Amsterdam School of Communications Research, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. t.postmes@exeter.ac.uk
Abstract:
Two studies (N = 126, N = 114) of African Americans supported a model predicting that more racially segregated life contexts are associated with feelings of acceptance by other in-group members and, to a lesser extent, rejection by out-group members. In-group acceptance and out-group rejection in turn influenced identification with the in-group, which was a strong predictor of psychological well-being. Alternative models were not supported. Results suggest that environments that are segregated offer in-group support and acceptance, thereby protecting self-esteem against possible perils of rejection by a powerful out-group. Findings suggest that the improvement of intergroup relations should not be at the expense of intragroup relations.
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