Working harder against stigma can physically harm the striver

Evidence

Directly consistent with Allport’s views, many minority groups in the United States endorse hard work and determination as a means of overcoming their minority status (Kleugal & Smith, 1986). This value is reflected in the African American community in the legendary story of John Henry, a nineteenth-century steel driver, who beat a machine in a steel-driving competition only to drop dead of exhaustion. A dispositional preference to work harder to achieve success and advancement, despite sometimes overwhelming obstacles, has been called “john-henryism” ( James, Hartnett, & Kalsbeek, 1983). Research linking john-henryism to hypertension among African Americans suggests that adopting this coping strategy may be physically harmful, even though it may indeed be the coping strategy most approved of in society ( James, Hartnett, & Kalsbeek, 1983). — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 965 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Denying or concealing a stigma is psychologically costly yet commonly attempted; The culturally approved coping response to stigma can damage physical health; Working harder to overcome prejudice can physically harm minority group members — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 965 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Working harder to overcome prejudice can physically harm minority group members #corroborates (0.97) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 965