Socio-demographic vs domain predictors of perceived stress: Racial differences among American women

Using data from a national probability sample of black and white females, this study focuses on racial differences and similarities in factors affecting levels of global perceived stress. Selected socio-demographic characteristics as well as satisfactions with the major domains of life — such as self, standard of living, health, family life, and leisure — are examined as predictors of global perceived stress. Generally, domain satisfactions are found to be stronger predictors of perceived stress than are socio-demographic characteristics. Moreover, no racial differences between black and white females are found when socio-demographic factors are controlled. However, a significant racial difference is encountered for one domain: satisfaction with leisure appears to be a stronger predictor of perceived stress for black females than it is for white females.