Abstract
The present study examined age differences in exposure and reactivity to interpersonal tensions among white and black Americans.
Participants from the National Study of Daily Experiences II (NSDE II, n = 1,696 white and n = 239 black; ages 34–84) reported their experiences of daily interpersonal tensions and well-being (positive and negative
affect) over 8 days and provided salivary cortisol samples. A total of 40% of respondents reported having an argument and
62% reported avoiding an argument. Multilevel models estimated separately for black and white respondents revealed that older
people reported fewer interpersonal tensions (i.e., less exposure) than did younger people. However, age differences in reactivity
to tensions (e.g., appraisals, coping strategies, implications of tensions for affect and cortisol) varied by race. Although
older black respondents reported tensions were less stressful than younger black respondents, there were fewer age difference
in reactivity to tensions overall among black respondents compared with white respondents. Findings are consistent with the
exposure-reactivity model and gerontological theories of emotion regulation but show that the specific age differences vary
by race which may indicate unique strengths and vulnerabilities among whites and blacks.
Participants from the National Study of Daily Experiences II (NSDE II, n = 1,696 white and n = 239 black; ages 34–84) reported their experiences of daily interpersonal tensions and well-being (positive and negative
affect) over 8 days and provided salivary cortisol samples. A total of 40% of respondents reported having an argument and
62% reported avoiding an argument. Multilevel models estimated separately for black and white respondents revealed that older
people reported fewer interpersonal tensions (i.e., less exposure) than did younger people. However, age differences in reactivity
to tensions (e.g., appraisals, coping strategies, implications of tensions for affect and cortisol) varied by race. Although
older black respondents reported tensions were less stressful than younger black respondents, there were fewer age difference
in reactivity to tensions overall among black respondents compared with white respondents. Findings are consistent with the
exposure-reactivity model and gerontological theories of emotion regulation but show that the specific age differences vary
by race which may indicate unique strengths and vulnerabilities among whites and blacks.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s12552-011-9058-y
- Authors
- Kira S. Birditt, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
- Kelly E. Cichy, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
- David Almeida, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Journal Race and Social Problems
- Online ISSN 1867-1756
- Print ISSN 1867-1748