Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 19, Issue 6, 2017, Pages 1386-1396

The Relation Between Discrimination, Sense of Coherence and Health Varies According to Ethnicity: A Study Among Three Distinct Populations in Israel (Article)

Baron-Epel O.* , Berardi V. , Bellettiere J. , Shalata W.
  • a School of Public Health, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, 31905, Israel
  • b Computational Sciences Research Center, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States, Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
  • c Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
  • d School of Public Health, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, 31905, Israel

Abstract

Self-reported experiences of discrimination and sense of coherence (SOC) have been found to be associated with health. A face-to-face survey of Long Term Jewish Residents (LTJR), Arabs and former Soviet Union (fSU) immigrants in Israel was performed. Respondents reported their physical and mental health, self-reported experiences of discrimination, SOC and socioeconomic status. Multivariable logistic regressions and bootstrapping path analyses were performed. Discrimination was associated with health after adjusting for all other variables. SOC was also associated with health. SOC did not mediate the strong association between discrimination and health among Israeli LTJR, but was a significant mediator among Arabs and fSU immigrants. Discrimination seems to have a direct effect on health only among the majority and not among minority populations. High levels of SOC may reduce the negative effects of discrimination on health by serving as a coping resource, however only among minorities. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

discrimination minorities Israel Ethnicity Sense of coherence

Index Keywords

Israel mental health human epidemiology Self Report middle aged sense of coherence Ethnic Groups ethnic group health status Aged USSR Arab ethnology Arabs Cross-Sectional Studies cross-sectional study migrant racism psychology Humans male Emigrants and Immigrants female adult social class
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84975307966&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-016-0449-4&partnerID=40&md5=f21d8d71e7c0e69016239f6600a3abea
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-016-0449-4
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English