Although beyond the scope of this study, family stressor reactivity may also indirectly contribute to African Americans’ health disadvantage through the mechanism of health behaviors (Mezuk, Rafferty, Kershaw, Hudson, Abdou, Lee, et al., 2010). In an effort to cope with the negative emotions elicited by family tensions, individuals of both races may engage in behaviors, such as emotional eating or smoking that further compromise health (Mezuk et al., 2010), although African Americans’ disproportionate exposure to other chronic stressors may increase their likelihood of engaging in these behaviors (Mezuk et al., 2010). Conceivably, efforts to cope with stressors, such as emotional eating, may buffer emotional well-being at the expense of physical health (Mezuk et al., 2010). Future research should consider the underlying mechanisms that link differential stressor reactivity and coping resources to long-term health.
