The Relationship of Racism, Chronic Stress Emotions, and Blood Pressure

Abstract

Structural equation modeling techniques were used to examine the hypothesized causal and correlational links between the theoretical constructs, as well as to examine the relationship between the observed variables and the latent constructs measured. FINDING AND CONCLUSIONS: The proposed model fits the sample data. Racism was a commonly experienced stressor associated with chronic stress emotions, but not with BP. Emotion-focused coping was strongly associated with socioeconomic status and chronic stress emotions but not with BP.

Demographic Differences in Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Score After Trauma

“…According to the VpCF, racial/ethnic minorities and persons of low socioeconomic status can lack important social and economic resources linked to increased health risk factors, including chronic stress. [23][24][25][26][27] peters 26 found that African Americans report chronic stress related to feelings of racism, and Cohen et al 25 reported that persons of low socioeconomic status experience chronic stress, as indicated by high levels of salivary cortisol.…”

Screening for Perceived Stress and Racism in Hypertensive African American Men in a Community Health Setting

“…Researchers suggest that individuals with less education and finances are more likely to experience high stress levels [15,35]. Individual items on the PSS indicated that participants may need help with handling personal problems.…”

“…Afterwards, participants watched a six-minute video on a laptop computer. The 6-minute video provided general information on TM and how it is used to help cope with stress [34,35]. The video included a discussion on TM by a renowned African American celebrity whom participants could identify with as being among their peer group (cultural, gender, age).…”

Contextualizing the Effects of Yoga Therapy on Diabetes Management

“…Specifically, scientists have documented the negative effects of racial discrimination on stress, depression, blood pressure level, substance abuse, and satisfaction with medical care. [67][68][69][70][71][72] Racial discrimination is a present and historical reality for many Americans, and a recent review of community-based studies confirmed its positive association with outcomes in mental and physical health status. 71 Racial discrimination has a dual description: individual perceptions, resulting in emotional distress and greater risk of chronic illness over time; and institutional racism, resulting in reduced access to optimal healthcare, increased exposure to hazardous conditions in the physical environment (related to housing and occupational opportunities), and aggressive advertising of both legal and illicit drugs and substances in segregated neighborhoods.…”