1/n Saw some activity mentioning my new paper "Linked Fate and Mental Health among African Americans" (thanks!). This study taps into what I see as a neglected aspect of racial identification with relevance for health -- linked fate. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953620305591?casa_token=QVuc4mV1-8sAAAAA:WSaw7CTxzt1faKgrZZzxPifCKXvyA0J50X-_DeNJpxRJ5pjGeCSlGRZRBGqXfQYUVyqTRQ9bDA

2/n Linked Fate is commonly used in political science research, but rarely seen in health research. In my view, however, linked fate is not just a measure of political solidarity, but also a measure of perceived collective threat and vulnerability.

3/n A lot of research on racial identity points out its positive aspects, but I've often wondered if racial id is a double-edged sword. That is, are costs for identifying with a racial category whose history and present is one of chronic threat?

4/n With respect to African Americans we must consider slavery, Jim Crow, the growing popular discussion of police violence, and much more. What are the mental health consequences for feeling that what happens to this group affects your own life? To feel 'that could be me?'

5/n I find that not only is linked fate not protective of mental health, linked fate is actually associated with worse mental health among African Americans (e.g. higher incidence of major depression and anxiety disorders).

6/n Within a context of persistent deprivation and racial violence, racial identity does appear to be a double-edged sword for African Americans. Some aspects may be protective, but it appears linked fate is not.

7/n However, as I point out, linked fate is also the fuel of political solidarity to inspire mobilization aimed at changing this context of deprivation and violence. In this way linked fate is still extremely beneficial and important. It does not, however, come for free.

8/n In closing, I think that viewing racial identity as a double-edged sword is more in line with the ambivalent takes on racial identity we see in Du Bois and Fanon. Also this research would not be possible without @PRBA_ISR and James S. Jackson (RIP). Final page proofs soon.

n/n Tweet nesting fixed*