General Well-Being in Adult Black Males With Chronic Illness

Abstract

As individuals age, they witness a decline in physical health and functional capacities. The presence of one or more chronic illnesses challenges their quality of life and general well-being, thus, impacting their abilities to function physically, psychologically, and socially. We investigated reports of general well-being in older Black males with chronic illness(es) in a study of N = 145 participants, aged 35 to 63, and identified as Black/African American male. Participants responded to items assessing general well-being; ethnic identity; self-esteem; active coping; the presence of chronic illness(es); and additional demographic, social and ecological characteristics. Analyses of responses indicated that marital status (β = –.17, p < .05), ethnic identity (β = –.34, p = .00), self-esteem (β = .22, p = .03) are significant determinants of general well-being in Black males with chronic illness(es). Data further showed active coping ( β = –.41 p = .09) to be negatively correlated with well-being. We discuss the implications of results for the understanding of health outcomes among this marginalized population.