Abstract
Given that stressors may accumulate across the life span, the extent to which daily hassles are associated with African American
females’ psychological functioning during the adolescent years remains an important question. Understanding the potential
impact of daily hassles is important due to indications that African American women report greater daily hassles and have
higher incidence rates of stress-related disorders. The current study examines the relationship between daily hassles and
psychological functioning (e.g., depression and anxiety symptoms) among 103 U.S. African American adolescent females (M = 15.50; SD = 1.70) residing in a moderately-sized Midwestern city. Additionally, this investigation explores gender role
orientation as a moderator of this relationship. Results indicated that increased daily hassles were associated with greater
depressive and anxiety symptoms. Also, this investigation provides some support for the direct and moderating role of gender
role orientation. A greater feminine or androgynous role orientation was associated with fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms.
In addition, although not directly associated, this investigation indicated that a masculine role orientation moderated the
association between daily hassles and girls’ psychological outcomes. Specifically, among African American adolescent females
with a greater masculine role orientation, increased daily hassles were associated with reduced psychological functioning
(e.g., greater depressive and anxiety symptoms). Neither feminine nor androgynous role orientation, however, moderated the
relationship between daily hassles and psychological functioning (e.g., depressive and anxiety symptoms). Implications of
findings are discussed.
females’ psychological functioning during the adolescent years remains an important question. Understanding the potential
impact of daily hassles is important due to indications that African American women report greater daily hassles and have
higher incidence rates of stress-related disorders. The current study examines the relationship between daily hassles and
psychological functioning (e.g., depression and anxiety symptoms) among 103 U.S. African American adolescent females (M = 15.50; SD = 1.70) residing in a moderately-sized Midwestern city. Additionally, this investigation explores gender role
orientation as a moderator of this relationship. Results indicated that increased daily hassles were associated with greater
depressive and anxiety symptoms. Also, this investigation provides some support for the direct and moderating role of gender
role orientation. A greater feminine or androgynous role orientation was associated with fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms.
In addition, although not directly associated, this investigation indicated that a masculine role orientation moderated the
association between daily hassles and girls’ psychological outcomes. Specifically, among African American adolescent females
with a greater masculine role orientation, increased daily hassles were associated with reduced psychological functioning
(e.g., greater depressive and anxiety symptoms). Neither feminine nor androgynous role orientation, however, moderated the
relationship between daily hassles and psychological functioning (e.g., depressive and anxiety symptoms). Implications of
findings are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s11199-011-0019-0
- Authors
- Shauna M. Cooper, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 554 Barnwell College, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
- Barbara J. Guthrie, School of Nursing, Yale University, 100 Church Street South, P.O. Box 9740, New Haven, CT 06536, USA
- Charity Brown, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 554 Barnwell College, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
- Isha Metzger, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 554 Barnwell College, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
- Journal Sex Roles
- Online ISSN 1573-2762
- Print ISSN 0360-0025