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“We grew up in the church”: A critical discourse analysis of Black and White rural residents’ perceptions of mental health

Author

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  • Efird, Caroline R.
  • Barrington, Clare
  • Metzl, Jonathan M.
  • Muessig, Kathryn E.
  • Matthews, Derrick D.
  • Lightfoot, Alexandra F.

Abstract

Known as the “Black-White mental health paradox,” Black Americans typically report better mental health than White Americans, despite chronic exposure to the psychologically harmful effects of racism and discrimination. Yet, researchers rarely examine how mental health is experienced across racial groups in economically distressed rural regions where all residents have disproportionately less access to mental healthcare resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Efird, Caroline R. & Barrington, Clare & Metzl, Jonathan M. & Muessig, Kathryn E. & Matthews, Derrick D. & Lightfoot, Alexandra F., 2023. "“We grew up in the church”: A critical discourse analysis of Black and White rural residents’ perceptions of mental health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:336:y:2023:i:c:s0277953623006020
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116245
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shellae Versey, H. & Cogburn, Courtney C. & Wilkins, Clara L. & Joseph, Nakita, 2019. "Appropriated racial oppression: Implications for mental health in Whites and Blacks," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 295-302.
    2. Miller, Charlotte E. & Vasan, Ramachandran S., 2021. "The southern rural health and mortality penalty: A review of regional health inequities in the United States," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    3. Malat, Jennifer & Mayorga-Gallo, Sarah & Williams, David R., 2018. "The effects of whiteness on the health of whites in the USA," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 148-156.
    4. Mohsin Hassan Khan & Farwa Qazalbash & Hamedi Mohd Adnan & Lalu Nurul Yaqin & Rashid Ali Khuhro, 2021. "Trump and Muslims: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Islamophobic Rhetoric in Donald Trump’s Selected Tweets," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(1), pages 21582440211, March.
    5. Kwate, N.O.A. & Meyer, L.H., 2010. "The myth of meritocracy and African American health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(10), pages 1831-1834.
    6. Abrams, Jasmine A. & Tabaac, Ariella & Jung, Sarah & Else-Quest, Nicole M., 2020. "Considerations for employing intersectionality in qualitative health research," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    7. Efird, Caroline R. & Lightfoot, Alexandra F., 2020. "Missing Mayberry: How whiteness shapes perceptions of health among white Americans in a rural Southern community," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
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