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01-10-2018 | Original Paper

Is Minority Stress in the Eye of the Beholder? A Test of Minority Stress Theory with Christians

Authors: Mike C. Parent, Melanie E. Brewster, Stephen W. Cook, Kevin A. Harmon

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 5/2018

Abstract

Studies using minority stress theory have focused on the experiences of numerical and social power minorities, though majority individuals may also perceive themselves to be minorities. We explored minority stress theory among a sample of members of a numerically and socially dominant group: Christians in the USA. Perceiving oneself to be a member of a minority as a Christian was associated with stress indirectly via perceived experiences of faith-based discrimination (i.e., harassment due to being Christian). Being more open about one’s religion moderated the relationship between experiences of faith-based discrimination and stress, such that those who were open about their faith reported a stronger relationship between experiences of faith-based discrimination and stress. These findings indicate that perceptions of minority status are important to understanding stress and have implications for minority/majority dialogues.

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Title: Is Minority Stress in the Eye of the Beholder? A Test of Minority Stress Theory with Christians
Authors: Mike C. Parent
Melanie E. Brewster
Stephen W. Cook
Kevin A. Harmon
Publication date: 01-10-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 5/2018
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0550-6

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Is Minority Stress in the Eye of the Beholder? A Test of Minority Stress Theory with Christians

Abstract

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Abstract

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