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Using a novel “Perceived Self-Group Hierarchy” measure to predict White Americans’ health via feelings of “falling behind”

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  • Brown-Iannuzzi, Jazmin L.
  • Cooley, Erin
  • Vlasak, Dylan
  • Lisnek, Jaclyn A.
  • Lei, Ryan F.
  • Yeager, Camryn
  • Elacqua, Nicholas

Abstract

Previous research finds that White Americans tend to perceive “most White people” to be high-status and see themselves as falling behind their racial group (Cooley et al., 2021). These feelings of low within-group status predict fewer positive emotions which, in turn, predict worse health. However, this previous work is limited by its use of two separate status measures (i.e., “self” and “group”) which are used to infer within-group comparisons via difference scores. To address this limitation, we propose a Perceived Self-Group Hierarchy (PSGH) measure that directly assesses perceptions of within-group status, while also capturing perceptions of between-group status. Using samples of non-Hispanic White Americans with representative quota sampling (NTotal = 1600), we demonstrate that our new measure provides better criterion validity and incremental validity over prior measurement strategies when predicting health (Study 1). Moreover, when combined with latent profile analysis, our measure allows researchers to ask more nuanced questions regarding subjective status and health (Study 2).

Suggested Citation

  • Brown-Iannuzzi, Jazmin L. & Cooley, Erin & Vlasak, Dylan & Lisnek, Jaclyn A. & Lei, Ryan F. & Yeager, Camryn & Elacqua, Nicholas, 2025. "Using a novel “Perceived Self-Group Hierarchy” measure to predict White Americans’ health via feelings of “falling behind”," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 374(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:374:y:2025:i:c:s0277953625003910
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118061
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ellora Derenoncourt & Chi Hyun Kim & Moritz Kuhn & Moritz Schularick, 2024. "Wealth of Two Nations: The U.S. Racial Wealth Gap, 1860–2020," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 139(2), pages 693-750.
    2. Anne Case & Angus Deaton, 2017. "Mortality and Morbidity in the 21st Century," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 48(1 (Spring), pages 397-476.
    3. Ellora Derenoncourt & Chi Hyun Kim & Moritz Kuhn & Moritz Schularick, 2022. "Wealth of Two Nations: The U.S. Racial Wealth Gap, 1860–2020," Working Papers 296, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Center for Economic Policy Studies..
    4. Neil Bhutta & Andrew C. Chang & Lisa J. Dettling & Joanne W. Hsu, 2020. "Disparities in Wealth by Race and Ethnicity in the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances," FEDS Notes 2020-09-28-2, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
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