Final answer:
The Multidimensional Model of Racial Identity (MMRI) is the model described by Robert Sellers and colleagues, which explores the relationship between perceived discrimination, ethnic identity, and mental health among Blacks. It highlights how racial identity can influence individuals' experiences of discrimination and its mental health outcomes, while also considering the potential mitigating effects of social support and coping strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Robert Sellers' Model on Ethnic Identity and Mental Health
The model presented by Robert Sellers and colleagues for understanding the complex relationships between perceived discrimination, ethnic identity, and mental health among Blacks is called the Multidimensional Model of Racial Identity (MMRI). The MMRI is designed to provide a framework for exploring the nuanced ways in which racial identity can influence how individuals perceive and respond to discrimination, as well as the resulting impacts on mental health outcomes.
Within the scope of the MMRI, racial identity is not seen as a singular, static characteristic. Instead, it is multidimensional, encompassing how individuals view themselves in relation to their racial group, the importance they place on race within their self-concept, and their beliefs and attitudes about their racial group and race relations more broadly. These dimensions are thought to play a critical role in determining the psychological effects of discrimination.
For example, individuals who strongly identify with their racial group may be more likely to perceive discrimination and to experience negative mental health outcomes as a result. However, social support and effective coping strategies can serve as buffers, possibly mitigating these adverse effects, though they may not eliminate them entirely. Ongoing efforts to combat discrimination—including legal protections—are essential for reducing its impact on the mental and physical health of marginalized groups.