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Desalu JM, Goodhines PA, Park A. Vicarious racial discrimination, racial identity, and alcohol-related outcomes among Black young adults: An experimental approach. PSYCHOLOGY OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS 2021; 35:283-294. [PMID: 33705156 PMCID: PMC8084893 DOI: 10.1037/adb0000707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Racial discrimination is a known risk factor for alcohol-related outcomes among young Black American adults. However, vicarious racial discrimination's associations with alcohol-related outcomes and the role of racial identity in these associations remain unknown. This within-subject experiment study tested whether associations of vicarious racial discrimination with alcohol craving and attentional bias differed by three components of racial identity (centrality, private regard, and public regard). Method: Black young adult, at-risk drinkers (N = 51; Mage = 21 [SD = 3.02]; 60% female) completed two vicarious racial discrimination conditions (manipulated by video) followed by alcohol craving and attentional bias tasks. Results: Associations of vicarious discrimination with alcohol craving were exacerbated by high centrality and buffered by high private regard, but did not differ by public regard. No associations of vicarious discrimination with alcohol attention bias were found. Conclusion: Findings highlight the important role of Black racial identity in within-group differences in the impact of vicarious racial discrimination on select implicit indicators of alcohol risk among Black young adults. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Franco M, O'Brien KM. Taking Racism to Heart: Race‐Related Stressors and Cardiovascular Reactivity for Multiracial People. JOURNAL OF MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING AND DEVELOPMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jmcd.12167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Franco
- Science & Technology Policy FellowAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science Washington DC
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Ethnicity, Cortisol, and Experimental Pain Responses Among Persons With Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis. Clin J Pain 2018; 33:820-826. [PMID: 27898457 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000000462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although several factors are known to contribute to ethnic differences in pain, relatively little attention has been devoted to physiological factors. Our first aim was to examine the relationship between cortisol and pain responses during a cold-pressor task (CPT) among African American (AA) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Our second aim was to assess the relationship between perceived racial discrimination and cortisol among AA participants. MATERIALS AND METHODS Participants were 91 (56 AA; 35 NHW) community-dwelling adults between the ages of 45 to 85 with knee OA based upon the American College of Rheumatology clinical criteria. Plasma cortisol was measured at 3 timepoints: (1) baseline, (2) before the CPT, and (3) 20 minutes following the CPT. Perceived racial discrimination was measured by the Experiences of Discrimination scale. RESULTS Using linear regression, we found a significant interaction between ethnicity and cortisol before the CPT with pain intensity ratings (β=-0.26; P=0.02). Analysis of simple slopes revealed that cortisol concentrations were negatively associated with pain intensity ratings in NHW participants (β=-0.54; P=0.001), but not in AA participants (β=-0.15; P=0.26). Perceived racial discrimination was not related to cortisol concentrations or pain ratings. DISCUSSION Consistent with previous findings in young healthy adults, cold-pressor pain responses are related to pre-CPT cortisol concentrations in NHW persons with knee OA but not in their AA counterparts. Additional studies are required to better understand this finding.
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Hermosura AH, Haynes SN, Kaholokula JK. A Preliminary Study of the Relationship between Perceived Racism and Cardiovascular Reactivity and Recovery in Native Hawaiians. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2018; 5:1142-1154. [PMID: 29512031 PMCID: PMC6132570 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-018-0463-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Native Hawaiians, compared to other ethnic groups in Hawai‘i, have significantly higher mortality rates and die at a younger average age from cardiovascular disease (CVD). This may be partially explained by elevated cardiovascular responses to racial stressors. Our study examined the degree to which blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) reactivity and recovery, and ratings of subjective distress to racial stressors, differ as a function of Native Hawaiian college students’ levels of perceived racism. This study had three phases. Phase 1 involved the development of a blatant and subtle racial stressor. Phase 2 involved assigning 132 students into high- or low-perceived racism groups based on scores on two perceived interpersonal racism measures. Phase 3 involved a psychophysiology laboratory experiment conducted with 35 of the 132 students. BP, HR, and subjective distress were measured during exposure to the blatant and subtle racial stressors. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) recovery following exposure to both stressors was significant for both groups. Although not significant, three trends were observed among the high-perceived racism group, which included: (1) greater reactivity to exposure to the subtle stressor than to the blatant stressor, (2) incomplete HR recovery following exposure to both stressors, and (3) incomplete SBP and diastolic blood pressure recovery following exposure to the subtle stressor. Participants also reported significantly greater subjective distress following exposure to the blatant than to the subtle stressor. Specific interventions, such as increased self-awareness of physiological responses to racial stressors, targeted at at-risk individuals are necessary to reduce a person’s risk for CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Hepuapo'okela Hermosura
- Department of Native Hawaiian Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 677 Ala Moana Boulevard, Ste 1016, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA.
| | - Stephen N Haynes
- Department of Psychology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 2530 Dole Street, Sakamaki C 400, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Joseph Keawe'aimoku Kaholokula
- Department of Native Hawaiian Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 677 Ala Moana Boulevard, Ste 1016, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA
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Associations Between Discrimination and Cardiovascular Health Among Asian Indians in the United States. J Immigr Minor Health 2018; 18:1284-1291. [PMID: 27039100 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-016-0413-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Asian Indians (AI) have a high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The study investigated associations between discrimination and (1) cardiovascular risk and (2) self-rated health among AI. Higher discrimination scores were hypothesized to relate to a higher cardiovascular risk score (CRS) and poorer self-rated health. Asian Indians (n = 757) recruited between 2010 and 2013 answered discrimination and self-reported health questions. The CRS (0-8 points) included body-mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose levels of AI. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate relationships between discrimination and the CRS and discrimination and self-rated health, adjusting for psychosocial and clinical factors. There were no significant relationships between discrimination and the CRS (p ≥ .05). Discrimination was related to poorer self-reported health, B = -.41 (SE = .17), p = .02. Findings suggest perhaps there are important levels at which discrimination may harm health.
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Fonkoue IT, Schwartz CE, Wang M, Carter JR. Sympathetic neural reactivity to mental stress differs in black and non-Hispanic white adults. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2018; 124:201-207. [PMID: 28970198 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00134.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Black adults have a higher risk of hypertension compared with non-Hispanic white (NHW) adults, but physiological mechanisms underlying this predisposition remain unclear. This study compared muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) responses to mental stress in a group of young black and NHW participants. We hypothesized that the sympathoexcitation associated with mental stress would be greater in black adults compared with NHW participants. Thirty-five male adults (19 black, 23 ± 1 yr; 16 NHW, 22 ± 1 yr) were examined during 5-min supine baseline and 5 min of mental stress (via mental arithmetic). Baseline mean arterial pressure (80 ± 2 vs. 82 ± 1 mmHg), heart rate (61 ± 4 vs. 61 ± 2 beats/min), MSNA (13 ± 1 vs. 15 ± 2 bursts/min), and sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity (-1.1 ± 0.4 vs. -1.5 ± 0.3 bursts·100 heart beats-1·mmHg-1) were not significantly different between NHW and black adults ( P > 0.05), respectively. MSNA reactivity to mental stress was significantly higher in NHW compared with black adults (time × race, P = 0.006), with a particularly divergent responsiveness during the first minute of mental stress in NHW (Δ4 ± 1 burst/min) and black (Δ-2 ± 2 burst/min; P = 0.022) men. Blood pressure and heart rate reactivity to mental stress were similar between groups. In summary, black participants demonstrated a lower MSNA responsiveness to mental stress compared with NHW adults. These findings suggest that, despite a higher prevalence of hypertension, black subjects do not appear to have higher neural and cardiovascular responsiveness to mental stress compared with NHW. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Black men have a blunted muscle sympathetic nerve activity response to mental stress compared with non-Hispanic white (NHW) men, especially at the onset of mental stress when muscle sympathetic nerve activity decreased in blacks and increased in NHW men. Thus, despite a high prevalence of hypertension in blacks, normotensive NHW men display a greater peripheral sympathetic neural reactivity to mental stress than black men.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Min Wang
- 1 Michigan Technological University
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Williamson TJ, Mahmood Z, Kuhn TP, Thames AD. Differential relationships between social adversity and depressive symptoms by HIV status and racial/ethnic identity. Health Psychol 2017; 36:133-142. [PMID: 27929330 PMCID: PMC5269451 DOI: 10.1037/hea0000458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Historically marginalized groups are likely to be exposed to social adversity, which predicts important mental health outcomes (e.g., depression). Despite the well-established relationship between adversity and poor health, few studies have examined how adversity differentially predicts mental health among people living with multiple, co-occurring marginalized identities or statuses. The current study fills this gap by examining whether relationships between social adversity and depressive symptoms differed between those living with or without a stigmatized disease (i.e., HIV) and/or marginalized racial/ethnic identity (i.e., African American). METHOD A community sample of men and women (N = 149) completed questionnaires assessing demographics and depressive symptoms. Additionally, a composite index of social adversity was derived from measures of perceived discrimination, socioeconomic status, financial restriction to receiving medical care, and perceived neighborhood characteristics. Multiple regression was used to test whether relationships between adversity and depressive symptoms differed as a function of HIV status and racial/ethnic identity. RESULTS A significant 3-way interaction between social adversity, HIV status, and racial/ethnic identity indicated that there was a direct relationship between adversity and depressive symptoms for HIV-positive (HIV+) African Americans but not for HIV-negative (HIV-) African Americans, HIV+ Caucasians, or HIV- Caucasians. Further, HIV+ African Americans evidenced a significantly greater relationship between adversity and depressive symptoms compared with HIV- African Americans, but not compared with other groups. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that HIV+ African Americans may be at risk for higher depressive symptoms amid adversity, highlighting the importance of evaluating intersectional identities/statuses in the context of mental health. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J. Williamson
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Zanjbeel Mahmood
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Taylor P. Kuhn
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - April D. Thames
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
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Chae DH, Drenkard CM, Lewis TT, Lim SS. Discrimination and Cumulative Disease Damage Among African American Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Am J Public Health 2015; 105:2099-107. [PMID: 26270300 PMCID: PMC4566545 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2015.302727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We examined associations between unfair treatment, attributions of unfair treatment to racial discrimination, and cumulative disease damage among African American women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS We used multivariable regression models to examine SLE damage among 578 African American women in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, recruited to the Georgians Organized Against Lupus cohort. RESULTS When we controlled for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related covariates, reporting any unfair treatment was associated with greater SLE damage compared with reporting no unfair treatment (b = 0.55; 95% confidence interval = 0.14, 0.97). In general, unfair treatment attributed to nonracial factors was more strongly associated with SLE damage than was unfair treatment attributed to racial discrimination, although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Unfair treatment may contribute to worse disease outcomes among African American women with SLE. Unfair treatment attributed to nonracial causes may have a more pronounced negative effect on SLE damage. Future research may further examine possible differences in the effect of unfair treatment by attribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Chae
- David H. Chae is with the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park. Cristina M. Drenkard and S. Sam Lim are with the Division of Rheumatology, School of Medicine, and Tené T. Lewis is with the Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Cristina M Drenkard
- David H. Chae is with the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park. Cristina M. Drenkard and S. Sam Lim are with the Division of Rheumatology, School of Medicine, and Tené T. Lewis is with the Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Tené T Lewis
- David H. Chae is with the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park. Cristina M. Drenkard and S. Sam Lim are with the Division of Rheumatology, School of Medicine, and Tené T. Lewis is with the Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - S Sam Lim
- David H. Chae is with the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park. Cristina M. Drenkard and S. Sam Lim are with the Division of Rheumatology, School of Medicine, and Tené T. Lewis is with the Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
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Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease: An Assessment of Obstetrician-Gynecologists' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Patterns. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2015; 2:256-66. [PMID: 26863341 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-015-0088-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Revised: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND African American and Hispanic women are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its many risk factors. Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) play an integral role in well-woman care and have a unique opportunity to provide CVD counseling and screening to these at-risk and underserved groups. OBJECTIVE To assess whether OB/GYN race/ethnicity and OB/GYN practices with increasing minority patient populations predicted differences in OB/GYNs' knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns relevant to racial/ethnic disparities in CVD. This study also sought to determine provider and patient-related barriers to CVD care. METHOD A questionnaire on CVD was mailed to 273 members of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in March-July 2013. RESULTS African American and Hispanic OB/GYNs and OB/GYN practices with increasing minority patient populations were more knowledgeable of CVD disparities. These OB/GYNs reported greater concern for minority women's CVD risk relative to White OB/GYNs. Overall, OB/GYNs appear less knowledgeable and concerned with Hispanics' increased CVD risk relative to African Americans'. The most commonly reported provider and patient-related barriers to CVD care were time constraints, patient nonadherence to treatment recommendations, and inadequate training. CONCLUSION It is likely that minority OB/GYNs and those with practices with increasing minority patient populations have greater exposure to women at risk for CVD. Dissemination of educational information regarding Hispanic women's CVD risk profile may improve OB/GYN knowledge, counseling, and screening. Increased training in CVD and multicultural competency during medical school and residency should help OB/GYNs overcome what they report as primary barriers to CVD care.
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Townsend SSM, Major B, Gangi CE, Mendes WB. From "in the air" to "under the skin": cortisol responses to social identity threat. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2011; 37:151-64. [PMID: 21239591 PMCID: PMC3538844 DOI: 10.1177/0146167210392384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The authors examined women's neuroendocrine stress responses associated with sexism. They predicted that, when being evaluated by a man, women who chronically perceive more sexism would experience more stress unless the situation contained overt cues that sexism would not occur. The authors measured stress as the end product of the primary stress system linked to social evaluative threat-the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortical axis. In Study 1, female participants were rejected by a male confederate in favor of another male for sexist reasons or in favor of another female for merit-based reasons. In Study 2, female participants interacted with a male confederate who they learned held sexist attitudes or whose attitudes were unknown. Participants with higher chronic perceptions of sexism had higher cortisol, unless the situation contained cues that sexism was not possible. These results illustrate the powerful interactive effects of chronic perceptions of sexism and situational cues on women's stress reactivity.
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Guyll M, Cutrona C, Burzette R, Russell D. Hostility, relationship quality, and health among African American couples. J Consult Clin Psychol 2011; 78:646-54. [PMID: 20873900 DOI: 10.1037/a0020436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated the association between hostility and health and whether it is moderated by the quality of an individual's primary romantic relationship. METHOD Longitudinal data were provided by 184 African Americans, including 166 women. Participants averaged 38 years old and were married or in long-term marriagelike relationships. Hostility and relationship quality were measured at the first assessment. Hostility was based on participants' responses to items tapping cynical attitudes about relationships. Relationship quality was based on trained observer ratings of videotaped couple interactions on behavioral scales reflecting warmth, support, and communication skills. At 2 assessments approximately 5 and 7 years later, participants provided health data. Health index scores were formed from responses to five scales of the SF-12 (Ware, Kosinski, & Keller, 1998) as well as to responses to questions about the number of chronic health conditions and the number of prescribed medications. RESULTS Stepwise regression analyses controlling for demographic variables and the earlier health score tested the main and interactive effects of hostility and relationship quality on longitudinal changes in health. Whereas no main effects were supported, the interaction of hostility and relationship quality was significant (p < .05). The form of the interaction was such that high-hostile individuals had better health outcomes if they were in a high-quality relationship. CONCLUSION Hostile persons in high-quality relationships may be at less risk for negative health outcomes because they do not regularly experience the physiologic reactivity and adverse psychosocial outcomes that they would otherwise experience as a result of recurring interpersonal conflict.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Guyll
- W112 Lagomarcino, Department of Psychology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3180, USA.
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Chae DH, Lincoln KD, Adler NE, Syme SL. Do experiences of racial discrimination predict cardiovascular disease among African American men? The moderating role of internalized negative racial group attitudes. Soc Sci Med 2010; 71:1182-8. [PMID: 20659782 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.05.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2009] [Revised: 03/15/2010] [Accepted: 05/28/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Studies examining associations between racial discrimination and cardiovascular health outcomes have been inconsistent, with some studies finding the highest risk of hypertension among African Americans who report no discrimination. A potential explanation of the latter is that hypertension and other cardiovascular problems are fostered by internalization and denial of racial discrimination. To explore this hypothesis, the current study examines the role of internalized negative racial group attitudes in linking experiences of racial discrimination and history of cardiovascular disease among African American men. We predicted a significant interaction between reported discrimination and internalized negative racial group attitudes in predicting cardiovascular disease. Weighted logistic regression analyses were conducted among 1216 African American men from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL; 2001-2003). We found no main effect of racial discrimination in predicting history of cardiovascular disease. However, agreeing with negative beliefs about Blacks was positively associated with cardiovascular disease history, and also moderated the effect of racial discrimination. Reporting racial discrimination was associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease among African American men who disagreed with negative beliefs about Blacks. However, among African American men who endorsed negative beliefs about Blacks, the risk of cardiovascular disease was greatest among those reporting no discrimination. Findings suggest that racial discrimination and the internalization of negative racial group attitudes are both risk factors for cardiovascular disease among African American men. Furthermore, the combination of internalizing negative beliefs about Blacks and the absence of reported racial discrimination appear to be associated with particularly poor cardiovascular health. Steps to address racial discrimination as well as programs aimed at developing a positive racial group identity may help to improve cardiovascular health among African American men.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Chae
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Room 512 Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Lepore SJ, Revenson TA, Weinberger SL, Weston P, Frisina PG, Robertson R, Portillo MM, Jones H, Cross W. Effects of social stressors on cardiovascular reactivity in Black and White women. Ann Behav Med 2006; 31:120-7. [PMID: 16542126 PMCID: PMC2593111 DOI: 10.1207/s15324796abm3102_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Behavioral scientists have theorized that perceived racism in social interactions may account for some of the observed disparities in coronary heart disease between Black and White Americans. PURPOSE The objective was to examine whether racial stress influences cardiovascular reactivity, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. METHODS We measured cardiovascular responses in Black and White women (n = 80) as they talked about 3 hypothetical scenarios: (a) being accused of shoplifting (racial stressor), (b) experiencing airport delays (nonracial stressor), and (c) giving a campus tour (control). RESULTS Relative to White women, Black women had significantly greater mean diastolic blood pressure reactivity (3.81 vs. 0.25 mmHg; p < .05) in response to the racial stressor than in response to the nonracial stressor. Black women exhibited significantly lower heart rate during recovery following the racial stressor than during recovery following the nonracial stressor (-0.37 beats/min vs. 0.86 beats/min; p < .001). Among Black women, those who explicitly made race attributions during the racial stressor had greater systolic but not diastolic blood pressure reactivity than those who did not make racial attributions (8.32 mmHg vs. 2.17 mmHg; p < .05). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that perceived racism in social interactions may contribute to increased physiological stress for Black women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Lepore
- Department of Health & Behavior Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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