Microaggressive stress, optimism and health among African American women

The present study sought to examine the relationship between microaggressive stress and physical health risks among African American women. The study also attempted to examine the moderating role of optimism on the relationship between microaggressive stress and physical health risks. A cross-sectional design and online survey was employed in the current study. The highly educated and high-income sample responded to items about high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. Responses to microaggressions were measured using a racial microaggression measure (IMABI; Mercer, Zeigler-Hill, Wallace, & Hayes, 2011). Dispositional optimism was examined with the Life Orientation Test - Revised (LOT-R; Scheier, Carver, & Bridges; 1994). Results indicated that microaggressive stress was not associated with any of the physical health risks. Moderation analyses for optimism were not indicated. Post-hoc t-tests suggested obese women may be more sensitive to a specific form of microaggression. Limitations and implications were discussed.