ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: COPING WITH MULTIPLE STRESSORS: A CLOSER LOOK AT PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG RACIAL MINORITIES

Title of Dissertation: COPING WITH MULTIPLE STRESSORS: A CLOSER LOOK AT PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG RACIAL MINORITIES Min Ji Yang, Doctor of Philosophy, 2015 Dissertation directed by: Associate Professor Matthew J. Miller, Department of Counseling Psychology This study examined a comprehensive stress and coping model in a sample of 414 racial minority participants in the U.S. Specifically, this study looked at main effects: a) racism-related stress, b) financial stress, c) problem-solving coping, d) avoidance coping and interaction effects: e) racism-related stress and financial stress, f) racism-related stress and problem-solving, g) racism-related stress and avoidance coping, h) financial stress and problem-solving coping, and i) financial stress and avoidance coping in relation to psychological distress. A latent variable path analysis of the comprehensive model and three smaller models (post-hoc analyses) were conducted. The results showed that racism-related stress, financial stress, and avoidance coping were significant predictors of psychological distress. Moreover, problem-solving coping worked as a significant moderator between racism-related stress and psychological distress. An extensive literature review of conceptual and methodological elements of the study constructs are presented. Limitations of this study as well as future directions in research and clinical practice are also included. COPING WITH MULTIPLE STRESSORS: A CLOSER LOOK AT PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG RACIAL MINORITIES