Race as a factor in health risk behaviors of African American, Caribbean, African, and European American women

Abstract

This study focused on the relationship between health risk behaviors and racial and gender discrimination, of interest was the relationship between the risk and benefit evaluation of engaging in health risk behaviors and discrimination. Findings indicated that Black (African American, African, and Caribbean) females engaged in fewer risk behaviors than European American females. In addition, Black females reported more racial discrimination than European American females. However, there were no significant differences in gender discrimination. There was no support of a relationship between risk and benefit evaluation and race or discrimination. Sensation seeking was supported as the most pertinent factor in exploring risk behaviors.