Ronald E. McNair Program


Ayhana Jackson
   SCHOOL:  Tougaloo College
   MAJOR:  Psychology 
   MENTOR:   Dr. Scotty Hargrove
   EXPECTED GRADUATION DATE:  May, 2000
   ORGANIZATIONS & HONORS: 
  • Concert Choir
  • Psychology Club
  • Yearbook Staff
  • Resident Assistant
  • Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society
  • Who's Who
  • McNair Scholar
  • All-American Scholar
  • Hearin Scholar
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

 


 

Using Religion to Cope With Stress: Is Race Really A Factor

Abstract

 
Religion is important to people in many parts of the world. Practices and beliefs may vary, but most people possess some system of ritual and beliefs that bind them together, giving them a sense of meaning and purpose in life. The research will indicate a relationship between religion and its affects on coping with stress. The purpose of this research is to determine if people use religious coping skills in adapting and coping with stress. The research will also determine if African-Americans and Caucasians differ in their use of religious coping with stress. The sample consisted of approximately 60 African American and Caucasian subjects, both male and female. The subjects were recruited from Talledega College, and The University of Mississippi. Three surveys were used to determine if a difference existed in African Americans and Caucasian coping strategies. These surveys are as follows:

    (1) Religious Coping Activities
    (2) Religious Problem Solving Scale and
    (3) Ways of Religion Coping Scale (WORCS).

A questionnaire was also given so that the student could indicate whether a stressful event occurred in his/her life in the past year.  Independent sample t-tests were used to determine if there was a significant difference between African Americans and Caucasians coping strategies. Results indicate significant differences between African-Americans and Caucasians in their use of different manners of religious coping.  These results and implications for future research are discussed.