COMMITTEE CHAIR: Dr. Temilola Salami

TITLE: FAITH IN THE STRUGGLE: RELIGIOUS COPING AS A MODERATOR BETWEEN RACE-RELATED STRESS AND WELL-BEING IN BLACK COLLEGE STUDENTS

ABSTRACT: The current study explored the relationship between race-related stress and psychological well-being among Black college students moderated by religious coping. By examining these processes within a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) setting, this study extends prior research by linking race-related stress to negative psychological outcomes among an HBCU sample (Odafe et al., 2017; Utsey & Ponterotto, 1996). HBCUs embody educational environments that are culturally affirming while simultaneously shaping a students’ experience and response to race-related stress, therefore, making this setting ideal for understanding coping mechanisms that are culturally grounded. This study employed a moderation analysis to assess whether religious coping decreases the association between race-related stress and two forms of well-being (eudaimonic and hedonic). Participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 51 years. The sample consisted of 42 males and 201 females. Results revealed that race-related stress was significantly associated with hedonic well-being, such that higher levels of race-related stress were associated with lower levels of hedonic well-being. Although race-related stress was positively correlated with eudaimonic well-being, was not significantly associated with eudaimonic well-being in the final regression model. Religious coping did not significantly moderate the association between race-related stress and meaning in life or hedonic well-being. Collectively the results underscore the multifaceted relationship between race-related stress and well-being while emphasizing the significance of exploring the experiences for this underserved population, Black college students.

Keywords: Race-related stress, religious coping, Black college students, well-being, eudaimonic, hedonic, HBCU

Location Online:

Zoom Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/264674752840021?p=AIk8W4pKREV6w0wuZg
Meeting ID: 264 674 752 840 021
Passcode: CG6cg3ek