Ethnic identification, social support and coping strategies among three groups of ethnic African elders

This study explores coping strategies as influenced by ethnic and social identity. The sample consisted of 156 ethnic African elders of African American, Afro-Barbadian and Afro-Haitian in origin aged 62 years old and older. Data were collected using the Ethnic Minority Identification scale, the social Relationship Scale and the Jaloweic Coping Scale. Results show that in some cases there is a correlation between ethnic identity and coping strategy. Only among Afro-Haitians was coping positively related to social support.