A research agenda for the black middle class: Work stress, survival strategies, and mental health

Pamela Braboy Jackson*, Quincy Thomas Stewart

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this article we discuss the social position of the black middle class and two forms of work stress that appear unique to this group: token stress and social rejection. We outline a research agenda for studying: (1) the relationship between these stressors and mental health in the context of the work environment, and (2) the type of strategies that appear especially efficacious (or problematic) with regard to these problems. We begin the paper with a contextual discussion of the black middle class. We then offer a set of theoretical predictions about the relationship between work stress and mental health among middle class African Americans. We conclude the article with recommendations for future research, and we identify the implications of the research agenda for social policy efforts to diversify the workplace.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)442-455
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of health and social behavior
Volume44
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Social Psychology

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