Have you ever experienced racism, lost someone close to you, or had a troubling encounter with the police? These kinds of hardships (often called adversities) can have lasting effects on both mental and physical health, impacting sleep, depression, illness and overall well-being. But what helps people stay resilient, meaning their ability to recover and adapt, in the face of such challenges? This study tests how adversities like racism, loss of a loved one, or negative police contact affect health and how resources like social, economic, and spiritual capital may influence how people cope. Using survey data from over 1,100 participants in Detroit, the findings show racial differences in the types of resources that mitigate, and in some cases exacerbate the health outcomes associated with a particular form of adversity. The results reaffirm that resilience isn’t just about individual strength - it’s shaped by access to resources and support systems. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Kirwan Forum Series: The Capacity to Cope: Adversity, Capital, and Health Across Race
Date
April 10, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:30 pm
Description