The Relationship Between Identity-Related Constructs And Positive Mental Health In Black College Students

Abstract

This cross-sectional, exploratory study examined positive mental health (PMH) in 156 Black college students, ages 18-25, attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). In addition, identity-related constructs such as spirituality, self-esteem, social support, life satisfaction, racial identity, and optimism were explored as predictors of PMH within this population. This study utilized Chickering's theory of student identity development and empowerment theory to examine PMH. The current level of PMH for the majority of Black students in this study was moderate mental health. Bivariate analyses were utilized to explore the relationship between the identity-related constructs (spirituality, self-esteem, social support, life satisfaction, racial identity, and optimism), socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, nationality, institution composition, classification, marital status, and background SES), and PMH. Findings from the bivariate analysis revealed that spirituality, self-esteem, social support, life satisfaction, optimism, racial identity, gender, and nationality were significant predictors of PMH. A multiple linear regression was utilized to further examine the relationships between the significant bivariate variables and PMH. Findings revealed that spirituality, self-esteem, social support, and life satisfaction remained to be significant predictors of PMH in Black college students when controlling for other respective variables. Implications for social work education, practice, and policy are discussed, in addition to recommendations for future research.