Coping Options: Missing links between minority group identification and psychological well-being

Using an integrated social identity and stress and coping approach, I tested the ability of group identification to foster beliefs in one’s ability to cope successfully that would in turn predict psychological well-being. Black American participants appraised the availability of coping options that varied as a function of level of identity (individual, intragroup and intergroup) and coping strategy (problem-focused and emotion-focused). Racial group identification positively predicted well-being. Individual emotion-focused and intergroup problem-focused options mediated group identification’s relationship with self-esteem. Individual emotion-focused, intergroup problem-focused and intergroup emotion-focused options mediated the relationship between group identification and life satisfaction. Findings suggest that minority group identification’s relationship with well-being may partly be due to its influence over a person’s sense that they and their group can respond effectively to disadvantage.