Resting Cardiovascular Levels and Reactivity to Interpersonal Incivility Among Black, Latina/o, and White Individuals: The Moderating Role of Ethnic Discrimination
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-2008
Keywords
ethnic discrimination. Black. Latina. Latino. White. blood pressure. cardiovascular reactivity. interpersonal incivility
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.27.4.473
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to examine cardiovascular responses among Black, non-Hispanic White, and Latina/o participants exposed to a potentially discriminatory situation. The study also examined the moderating role of prior history of discrimination on cardiovascular responses. Design: Black, Latina/o, and White participants engaged in a resting baseline and then interacted with an uncivil White research assistant. Main Outcome Measures: Two measures of prior exposure to discrimination were administered. Participants' blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were monitored throughout the protocol. The primary outcomes were resting cardiovascular function and cardiovascular reactivity to the uncivil interaction. Results: Past discrimination was related to higher resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) among Latina/o participants and lower resting SBP among White participants. Further, past discrimination was related to attenuated SBP and HR reactivity among Latina/o participants but was related to augmented HR reactivity among White participants. Discrimination was not related to resting levels or reactivity among Black participants. Conclusion: This study is the first to examine the relationship between discrimination and cardiovascular responses to interpersonal incivility among Black, Latina/o, and White individuals. Findings suggest that the relationship between discrimination and cardiovascular risk may differ by ethnicity.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Health Psychology, v. 27, issue 4, p. 473-481
Scholar Commons Citation
Salomon, Kristen and Jagusztyn, Nicole E., "Resting Cardiovascular Levels and Reactivity to Interpersonal Incivility Among Black, Latina/o, and White Individuals: The Moderating Role of Ethnic Discrimination" (2008). Psychology Faculty Publications. 1843.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/psy_facpub/1843
