Coping Strategies: A Case Study of an African-American Male (Ce Article: 1 CE Credit for This Article) (Case Study‪)‬

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] African Americans are inclined to experience greater stress than their Euro-American counterparts. African Americans must daily suffer the annoying micro-aggressions such environments breed, such as, being ignored for service, assumed to be guilty of anything negative, treated inferior, stared at because of color, ridiculed because of hair texture, or singled out for being different (Carroll, 1998). Considering the disproportion of unemployment, access to health care, poverty and educational attainment, African Americans are arguably the most stressed population in the United States. Moreover, African Americans, particularly males, run a greater risk of hypertension and other illnesses at have been linked with stress. Although there are limited research findings on coping styles to reduce stress by African Americans, this study extends that body of research. A tape-recorded interview was used to explore the cognitive aspects of stress appraisal and coping. The findings supported three major themes: the importance of spirituality, being proactive in coping with stress, and routine exercise.