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AuBuchon KE, Stock ML, Mathur VA, Attey B, Bowleg L. Bystander Acknowledgment Mitigates the Psychological and Physiological Pain of Racial Discrimination for Black Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:104560. [PMID: 38735424 PMCID: PMC11347098 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Racism increases pain sensitization and contributes to racialized pain inequities; however, research has not tested interventions targeting racism to reduce pain. In this study, we examined whether White bystanders can act to mitigate racism's pain-sensitizing effects. To simulate racial exclusion in the laboratory, Black young adults (age 18-30; N = 92) were randomly assigned to be included or excluded by White players in a ball-tossing game (Cyberball). For half of the excluded participants, White bystanders acknowledged and apologized for the racial exclusion. Participants completed a cold pressor task to assess pain threshold, tolerance, and unpleasantness, and completed a survey assessing psychological needs (ie, belongingness, self-esteem, meaningful existence, and self-control). Participants who experienced racial exclusion reported significantly more threatened psychological needs and increased laboratory pain sensitization (ie, lower pain threshold and tolerance) than those who were included. However, when a White bystander acknowledged the racism, excluded participants reported higher levels of self-control, self-esteem, and decreased pain sensitization (pain threshold and tolerance) relative to excluded participants whose experience was not acknowledged. Our findings support that racism increased Black people's pain sensitivity and provide initial evidence for White bystander acknowledgment as a health intervention. PERSPECTIVE: Continual exposure to racism likely contributes to inequities in pain sensitization. We demonstrate that acute exposure to mild racism increases acute pain sensitization. Results suggest that a bystander acknowledging witnessed racism can buffer the acute sensitizing effects of racism on pain, pointing to the potential of interpersonal interventions targeting racism. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT06113926.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina E AuBuchon
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia.
| | - Michelle L Stock
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Vani A Mathur
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Brianna Attey
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Lisa Bowleg
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
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2
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Merritt CC, Muscatell KA. Discrimination and Cardiovascular Health in Black Americans: Exploring Inflammation as a Mechanism and Perceived Control as a Protective Factor. Psychosom Med 2024; 86:181-191. [PMID: 38436661 PMCID: PMC11001516 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Inflammation may be an integral physiological mechanism through which discrimination impacts cardiovascular health and contributes to racial health disparities. Limited research has examined psychosocial factors that protect against the negative effects of discrimination on inflammation. Perceived control is a promising possible protective factor, given that it has been shown to moderate the relationship between other psychosocial stressors and physiological outcomes. This study thus tested whether systemic inflammation mediated the link between discrimination and cardiovascular health and whether perceived control moderated this relationship. METHODS Data for this project included 347 non-Hispanic/Latinx Black adults (mean [standard deviation] age = 51.64 [11.24] years; 33% female) taken from the Midlife in the United States study. Perceived control and daily discrimination were assessed via self-report, and inflammation was measured via circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), fibrinogen, and tumor necrosis factor α. Cardiovascular health was measured by morbidity of cardiovascular conditions: heart disease, hypertension, and/or stroke. RESULTS CRP (indirect effect: b = 0.004, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.001-0.007) and fibrinogen (indirect effect: b = 0.002, 95% CI = 0.0003-0.005) mediated the link between discrimination and cardiovascular conditions. Perceived control moderated the relationship between discrimination and CRP ( F (1, 293) = 4.58, Δ R2 = 0.013, b = -0.02, SE = 0.01, p = .033). CRP mediated the link between discrimination and cardiovascular conditions only for those who reported low levels of perceived control (Index = -0.003, 95% CI = -0.007 to -0.0001). CONCLUSION Findings provide empirical evidence of inflammation as a mechanism linking discrimination to cardiovascular conditions among Black Americans. Additionally, perceived control may be protective. Findings could suggest beliefs about control as a potential intervention target to help reduce the negative effects of discrimination on cardiovascular health among Black Americans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrington C. Merritt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Keely A. Muscatell
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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3
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Stout ME, Keirns BH, Medlin AR, Patel DJ, Byrd-Craven J, Hawkins MAW. Decreased salivary alpha-amylase reactivity for excluded young women after a speech task. Physiol Behav 2024; 277:114501. [PMID: 38387846 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) has gained popularity as an easily collected biomarker for sympathetic nervous system activation, and research has shown increases in sAA after completing experimental stress tasks in certain groups. However, recent work suggests that salivary cortisol, another stress biomarker, is suppressed after a speech task among experimentally induced exclusion in young women. The present analysis investigated the sAA response in biologically female undergraduates (n=31) who completed a game of Cyberball and then a speech anticipation task. Results showed that women in the social exclusion experimental group had a greater decrease in sAA compared to young women in the inclusion group after the speech task. Results of this study provide support for stress response suppression in women who have experienced social exclusion. The present findings provide pilot evidence for future, larger studies to advance the tend-and-befriend theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison E Stout
- Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, 116 Psychology Building, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA; Health Systems Research (HSR), Center for Health Information and Communication (CHIC), Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, 1481 W 10th St, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Bryant H Keirns
- Department of Nutrition and Health Science, HB 530, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, 47303, USA
| | - Austin R Medlin
- Department of Health & Wellness Design, 1025 E. 7th St, Suite 111, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Devanshi J Patel
- Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, 116 Psychology Building, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA; The Oklahoma Center for Evolutionary Analysis, Department of Psychology, 116 Psychology Building Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Jennifer Byrd-Craven
- Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, 116 Psychology Building, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA; The Oklahoma Center for Evolutionary Analysis, Department of Psychology, 116 Psychology Building Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Misty A W Hawkins
- Department of Health & Wellness Design, 1025 E. 7th St, Suite 111, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
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Neikirk K, Silvers S, Kamalumpundi V, Marshall AG, Scudese E, McReynolds M, Hinton AO. Recognizing and addressing environmental microaggressions, know-your-place aggression, peer mediocrity, and code-switching in STEMM. FRONTIERS IN EDUCATION 2023; 8:1270567. [PMID: 38389784 PMCID: PMC10883026 DOI: 10.3389/feduc.2023.1270567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are critical for fostering growth, innovation, and collaboration in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). This article focuses on four key topics that have impacted many Black individuals in STEMM: know-your-place aggression, environmental microaggressions, peer mediocrity, and code-switching. We provide a comprehensive background on these issues, discuss current statistics, and provide references that support their existence, as well as offer solutions to recognize and address these problems in the STEMM which can be expanded to all historically underrepresented individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kit Neikirk
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Sophielle Silvers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eberly College of Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | | | - Andrea G Marshall
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Estevão Scudese
- Laboratory of Biosciences of Human Motricity (LABIMH) of the Federal University of State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Sport Sciences and Exercise Laboratory (LaCEE), Catholic University of Petrópolis (UCP), Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Melanie McReynolds
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eberly College of Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Antentor O Hinton
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
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5
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Stout ME, Keirns BH, Hawkins MAW. Hypocortisolemic reactivity to acute social stress among lonely young women. Soc Neurosci 2023; 18:171-182. [PMID: 37381132 DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2023.2229082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
We examined biopsychosocial stress of acute social pain in relation to chronic loneliness. Hypotheses: 1) Cyberball exclusion (vs. inclusion) would be associated with lower cortisol reactivity to a speech task, and 2) loneliness would moderate the relationship between social exclusion and cortisol reactivity to a speech task, such that higher loneliness would be linked to lower cortisol. Participants (n = 31, women, aged 18-25, 51.6% non-Hispanic white) were randomized to be excluded or included in a game of Cyberball, then completed a speech task. Salivary cortisol was measured at baseline, pre-speech, post-speech, and 15 minutes post-speech. Cortisol reactivity was calculated using area under the curve-increase (AUCi). ANOVA revealed a non-significant, meaningful effect of Cyberball exclusion on cortisol AUCi (p=.103, ηp2=.10), accounting for contraceptive use. Moderation analysis revealed among women with high loneliness, women in the exclusion condition had significantly lower cortisol reactivity than women in the inclusion condition (p=.001). For women with low and medium loneliness, there were no significant differences by Cyberball condition. In sum, lonely young women who are excluded may have hypocortisolemic responses to social stress. Results are consistent with literature suggesting that chronic stress is linked to lower cortisol responses, which is linked to negative physical health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison E Stout
- Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Bryant H Keirns
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Misty A W Hawkins
- Department of Health & Wellness Design, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
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Haeny AM, Holmes SC, Woerner J, Hicks TA, Ahuja M, Overstreet C, Amstadter A, Sartor CE. The Associations of Racial Discrimination and Neighborhood Disadvantage With World Assumptions Among Black, Latine, and Asian Young Adults. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2023; 38:6798-6818. [PMID: 36433838 PMCID: PMC10211824 DOI: 10.1177/08862605221137701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The theory of shattered assumptions proposes that experiencing traumatic events can change how people view themselves and the world. Most adults experience a traumatic event during their lifetime, and some subsequently develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the current conceptualization of trauma (i.e., Criterion A PTSD) may be too narrow to adequately capture the range of potentially traumatizing events that People of Color experience, including racial discrimination and neighborhood disadvantage. This study investigated the association of racial discrimination and neighborhood disadvantage with core beliefs about the world being safe and predictable (i.e., world assumptions) among a sample of Black, Latine, and Asian young adults. Multi-step analyses of covariance tested associations between racial discrimination and neighborhood disadvantage with world assumptions and whether these held in the context of other traumatic exposures. Results indicated that racial discrimination negatively impacted world assumptions among Asian young adults only and this effect remained in the context of trauma. In addition, low neighborhood support negatively impacted world assumptions across all racial groups and neighborhood violence negatively impacted world assumptions among Latine young adults only; however, this effect did not remain in the context of trauma. This study indicates it is worthwhile to consider other adverse events in the conceptualization of trauma, such as racial discrimination and neighborhood disadvantage, that may impact world assumptions and contribute to subsequent post-trauma psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Manik Ahuja
- East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, USA
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Fields S, Arthur K, Schueler J, Smallman R. Using a counterfactual-based intervention to change eating intentions: Results from Hispanic and non-Hispanic undergraduate and community samples. Appetite 2023; 183:106460. [PMID: 36642115 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Finding ways to improve eating behavior has become a major focus of interventions designed to improve health outcomes. Counterfactual thinking (i.e., mental simulations of how a past outcome could have been different) is a cognitive strategy that has been shown to improve behavior regulation and could be a promising intervention to improve eating behavior. The purpose of the current research was to examine the effect of a counterfactual-based intervention to shift contemplation to change eating behavior, motivation towards eating healthier, and intentions to engage in healthier eating behaviors. Participants in both studies were randomly assigned to either a counterfactual-based intervention or a control condition. In Study 1, those in the counterfactual-based intervention condition reported an increase in readiness to change their eating behavior, higher extrinsic motivation towards eating healthy, and higher intentions to eat healthy compared to those in the control condition. Within the counterfactual condition, individuals who self-identified as Hispanic had higher intentions to use their counterfactual strategies than those who identified as non-Hispanic. Study 2 found similar results using a more diverse community sample. Those in the counterfactual-based intervention condition reported an increase in readiness to change, intentions to eat healthy, and intentions to use their counterfactual strategies, with this effect being stronger for self-identified Hispanic participants. These studies provide initial evidence for the use of a counterfactual-based intervention to improve eating behavior in diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherecce Fields
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, USA.
| | - Kianna Arthur
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, USA
| | - Jordan Schueler
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, USA
| | - Rachel Smallman
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, USA
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8
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Lieberman AG, Stock ML, AuBuchon KE, Beekman JB, Lambert SF. Intersectional discrimination from black women, white women, black men, or white men impacts young adult black women's affective states and risky health cognitions. Psychol Health 2023; 38:1-17. [PMID: 34180327 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2021.1941962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Black women experience pronounced inequalities in alcohol use and sexual risk outcomes. Racial discrimination is a known contributor to health inequalities. However, Black women face unique and intersectional forms of discrimination beyond racial discrimination. The current study investigates how exclusion from four distinct social groups effects Black women's negative affect and risky health cognitions. DESIGN Black women (N = 124; ages 18-29) were randomly assigned to be excluded in Cyberball by Black women, Black men, White women, or White men. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Participants responded to measures of internalising (depressive, anxious) and externalising (anger) affect, heavy alcohol use willingness, and risky sex expectations. RESULTS Participants primarily attributed exclusion from White women to racial discrimination, exclusion from Black men to gender discrimination, and exclusion from White men to both gender and racial discrimination. When excluded by White women, participants reported the highest levels of anger, depressive affect, and anxiety. Exclusion by White men predicted the greatest heavy drinking willingness, though exclusion by Black men predicted the greatest risky sex expectations. CONCLUSION This study is the first to demonstrate that exclusion from different social groups leads to differing patterns of negative affect and risky health cognitions in young adult Black women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abby G Lieberman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Michelle L Stock
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Katarina E AuBuchon
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Janine B Beekman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Sharon F Lambert
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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9
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De Leon AN, Woerner J, Dvorak RD, Cox J, Magri TD, Hayden ER, Ahuja M, Haeny AM. An Examination of Discrimination on Stress, Depression, and Oppression-Based Trauma During the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Racial Awakening of 2020. CHRONIC STRESS (THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.) 2023; 7:24705470231152953. [PMID: 36726452 PMCID: PMC9884951 DOI: 10.1177/24705470231152953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Background Discrimination is a pervasive societal issue that monumentally impacts people of color (POC). Many Black, Asian, and Hispanic/Latinx individuals report experiencing race-based discrimination in their lifetime. Discrimination has previously been linked to adverse health outcomes among POC, including stress, depressive, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. These health disparities are posited to have become exacerbated by COVID-19 and the racial awakening of 2020. The current study examined the short- and long-term effects of discrimination on stress, depression, and oppression-based trauma among POC. Methods Participants were (n = 398) who identified as Black, Indigenous, Hispanic/Latinx, and Asian completed an online self-report survey assessing discrimination, depression, stress, and oppression-based trauma collected at 3 time points: (T1) beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2020), (T2) 6 weeks later during the racial awakening of 2020 (June 2020), (T3) one year later (June 2021). Results Significant positive paths were revealed from T1 discrimination to T2 depression, T2 stress, and T3 oppression-based trauma. The association between T1 discrimination and T3 oppression-based trauma was partially mediated by T2 depression, but not by stress; total and total indirect effects remained significant. The final model accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in T3 oppression-based trauma, T2 depression, and T2 stress. Conclusion Findings are consistent with prior research linking discriminatory experiences with mental health symptomatology and provide evidence that race-based discrimination poses harmful short-and long-term mental health consequences. Further research is necessary to better understand oppression-based trauma to improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and treatment of POC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ardhys N. De Leon
- University of Central
Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
- Ardhys De Leon, University of Central
Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Manik Ahuja
- East Tennessee State
University, Johnson City, TN, USA
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10
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Ortiz R, Kluwe B, Lazarus S, Teruel MN, Joseph JJ. Cortisol and cardiometabolic disease: a target for advancing health equity. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2022; 33:786-797. [PMID: 36266164 PMCID: PMC9676046 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Stress, in both intrinsic psychosocial and extrinsic physical environmental forms, can impact the development of, and outcomes in, cardiovascular disease (CVD) through allostatic load. Cortisol is a core hormonal mediator of allostatic load produced in response to various stresses. Alterations in morning serum cortisol and daily diurnal cortisol have been associated with adiposity, dyslipidemia, incident diabetes, and CVDs such as hypertension. The review examines the role of cortisol as a key mechanistic link between stress physiology and cardiometabolic disease. Importantly, we discuss the role of targeting cortisol through pharmacological, behavioral, and environmental interventions to advance health equity in cardiometabolic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Ortiz
- Department of Pediatrics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Excellence of Health Equity, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bjorn Kluwe
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sophie Lazarus
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Mary N Teruel
- Department of Biochemistry and the Drukier Institute for Children's Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joshua J Joseph
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
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11
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Wang H, Zhou L, Lei L. Using Shattered Assumption Theory to Understand How Cyberbullying Victimization is Linked With Perceived Control Among Chinese College Students. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2022; 37:NP19624-NP19643. [PMID: 34435532 DOI: 10.1177/08862605211042572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Perceived control (PC) is considered as one of the most basic psychological needs of human beings, and it is also an important index to measure individual mental health. Previous studies have shown that negative life experience is an important risk factor for predicting PC. With the prevalence of cyberbullying among college students, this study explored how cybervictimization (CV) was related to the PC, mediated through the personal belief in a just world (PBJW). Besides, this study examined the moderating role of interpersonal forgiveness (IF) in the direct relationship between CV and PC and the indirect connection through PBJW. It was expected that CV would negatively predict the PC, and the PBJW would mediate this relationship. The direct and indirect effects were stronger in individuals with low IF than those with high IF. In this study, 837 Chinese college students were invited to conduct an online survey using a convenient sampling method. Participants were asked to complete the measurement of CV, PBJW, IF, and PC. After controlling gender and age, the results revealed that CV could directly and negatively predict college students' PC and indirectly predict the PC through the mediation of PBJW. Additionally, IF moderated the effect of CV on PBJW and PC. Unlike what we expected, the effect of CV on PBJW was stronger for low IF individuals than those with high IF, while the effect of CV on PC was stronger for high IF individuals than those with low IF. The unexpected orientation and other results were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Li Zhou
- Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Li Lei
- Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
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12
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Oaks BM, Adu-Afarwuah S, Ashorn P, Lartey A, Laugero KD, Okronipa H, Stewart CP, Dewey KG. Increased risk of preterm delivery with high cortisol during pregnancy is modified by fetal sex: a cohort study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:727. [PMID: 36151538 PMCID: PMC9502964 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-05061-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies show an association between maternal plasma and salivary cortisol and preterm birth but have been primarily conducted in high-income countries. It is unknown whether salivary cortisol is a risk factor for preterm birth in Ghana. Our objective was to determine whether maternal salivary cortisol during pregnancy was associated with pregnancy duration and preterm delivery in Ghana. Methods We conducted a cohort study of 783 pregnant women in Ghana. We measured salivary cortisol at baseline (mean 16 wk), 28 wk., and 36 wk. gestation. Pregnancy duration was determined primarily by ultrasound. We used adjusted linear regression models to examine the association between cortisol and pregnancy duration and Poisson regression models to determine the risk of preterm delivery among women with high cortisol at baseline or 28 wk. gestation. Results Mean pregnancy duration was 39.4 ± 1.8 wk. and 6.6% had a preterm delivery. Mean maternal cortisol increased throughout pregnancy, from 4.9 ± 2.7 nmol/L at baseline (16 wk) to 6.4 ± 3.2 nmol/L at 28 wk. and 7.9 ± 3.0 nmol/L at 36 wk. gestation. In adjusted analyses, higher cortisol concentrations at baseline (β = − 0.39, p = .002) and 28 wk. (β = − 0.49, p = .001), but not 36 wk. (β = − 0.23, p = .084) were associated with a shorter pregnancy duration. Women with high cortisol at baseline (> 6.3 nmol/L) had an increased relative risk of preterm delivery (RR (95% CI): 1.96 (1.13, 3.40)), but the association between high cortisol at 28 wk. and preterm delivery was not significant. There was a significant interaction with fetal sex (p-for-interaction = 0.037): among women carrying male fetuses, high cortisol at baseline increased the risk of preterm delivery threefold (3.18 (1.51, 6.71)) while there was no association (1.17 (0.50, 2.74)) among women carrying female fetuses. Conclusion Higher maternal cortisol is associated with a shorter pregnancy duration and an increased risk of preterm delivery. Subgroup analysis by fetal sex revealed that this association is evident primarily among women carrying male fetuses. Future studies of cortisol and preterm delivery should include consideration of fetal sex as a potential effect modifier. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-05061-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brietta M Oaks
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA.
| | - Seth Adu-Afarwuah
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Per Ashorn
- Center for Child, Adolescent and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Pediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Anna Lartey
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kevin D Laugero
- USDA Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Harriet Okronipa
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | | | - Kathryn G Dewey
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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13
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Layug A, Krishnamurthy S, McKenzie R, Feng B. The Impacts of Social Media Use and Online Racial Discrimination on Asian American Mental Health: Cross-sectional Survey in the United States During COVID-19. JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e38589. [PMID: 36121698 PMCID: PMC9488547 DOI: 10.2196/38589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
During the COVID-19 pandemic, increased social media usage has led to worsened mental health outcomes for many people. Moreover, due to the sociopolitical climate during the pandemic, the prevalence of online racial discrimination has contributed to worsening psychological well-being. With increases in anti-Asian hate, Asian and Asian American social media users may experience the negative effects of online racial discrimination in addition to the reduced psychological well-being resulting from exposure to online COVID-19 content.
Objective
This study aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19–related social media use and exposure to online racial discrimination during the pandemic on the mental health outcomes (ie, anxiety, depression, and secondary traumatic stress [STS]) of Asian Americans compared with those of non-Asian Americans. In addition, this study explores the mediating role of negative affect and the moderating role of racial/ethnic identification.
Methods
An online survey was conducted through Amazon Mechanical Turk and a university-wide research portal from March 3 to March 15, 2021. A total of 1147 participants took the survey. Participants’ social media usage related to COVID-19 and exposure to 2 online forms of racial discrimination (individual and vicarious), mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression, and STS), racial/ethnic identification, negative affect, and demographics were assessed.
Results
Our results showed that COVID-19–related social media use, individual discrimination, and vicarious discrimination were predictors of negative mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression, and STS). Asian Americans reported higher vicarious discrimination than Latinx and White Americans, but Asian Americans’ mental health outcomes did not differ substantially from those of the other racial/ethnic groups. Racial/ethnic identification moderated the relationship between both types of discrimination and STS, and negative affect served as a mediator between both types of discrimination and all 3 mental health outcomes.
Conclusions
These results suggest that social media exposure continues to have a dire effect on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study helps to contextualize the rise of anti-Asian American hate and its impact on mental health outcomes in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyan Layug
- Department of Asian American Studies, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | | | - Rachel McKenzie
- Department of Communication, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Bo Feng
- Department of Communication, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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14
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Hobson JM, Moody MD, Sorge RE, Goodin BR. The neurobiology of social stress resulting from Racism: Implications for pain disparities among racialized minorities. NEUROBIOLOGY OF PAIN (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2022; 12:100101. [PMID: 36092741 PMCID: PMC9449662 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2022.100101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Extant literature posits that humans experience two types of threat: physical threat and social threat. While describing pain as "physical" or "social" can be helpful for understanding pain origins (i.e., broken bone versus lost relationship), this dichotomy is largely artificial and not particularly helpful for understanding how the human brain experiences pain. One real world example of social exclusion and rejection that is threatening and likely to bring about significant stress is racism. Racism is a system of beliefs, practices, and policies that operates to disadvantage racialized minorities while providing advantage to those with historical power, particularly White people in the United States and most other Western nations. The objective of this Mini-Review is to present evidence in support of the argument that racism promotes physical pain in racialized minorities, which in turn promotes chronic pain disparities. First, we provide a theoretical framework describing how racism is a potent stressor that affects the health and well-being of racialized minorities. We will then address the neurobiological underpinnings linking racism to social threat, as well as that linking social threats and physical pain. Finally, we will discuss how the perception of social threat brought about by racism may undermine pain management efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M. Hobson
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A
| | - Myles D. Moody
- Department of Sociology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A
| | - Robert E. Sorge
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A
- Center for Addiction & Pain Prevention & Intervention (CAPPI), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, U.S.A
| | - Burel R. Goodin
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A
- Center for Addiction & Pain Prevention & Intervention (CAPPI), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, U.S.A
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15
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Wen JH, Sin NL. Perceived control and reactivity to acute stressors: Variations by age, race and facets of control. Stress Health 2022; 38:419-434. [PMID: 34626157 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Greater perceived control is associated with better health and well-being outcomes, possibly through more adaptive stress processes. Yet little research has examined whether facets of perceived control (personal mastery and perceived constraints) predict psychological and physiological stress reactivity. The present study evaluated the associations of personal mastery and perceived constraints with changes in subjective stress and cortisol in response to acute laboratory stressors, with age and race as potential moderators. In the Midlife in the United States Refresher Study (N = 633 adults aged 25-75), participants completed a baseline perceived control measure and were subsequently recruited to participate in the laboratory stress protocol. The protocol consisted of completing two mental stress tasks (mental arithmetic and Stroop) as well as providing saliva samples and subjective stress ratings. Race moderated the association between perceived constraints and subjective stress reactivity, such that higher constraints predicted greater subjective stress responses in White participants, but no association was observed in Black participants. Higher personal mastery and perceived constraints each predicted greater increases in cortisol in response to the stress tasks (AUCi ) among younger but not older adults. These findings suggest that older adults were buffered against the association between facets of control and cortisol stress reactivity. Discussion on potential racial differences in the link between constraints and stress reactivity are elaborated further, as well as considerations for future work to distinguish between facets of control and examine age and racial differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin H Wen
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nancy L Sin
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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16
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Shore LM, Chung BG. Enhancing leader inclusion while preventing social exclusion in the work group. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT REVIEW 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hrmr.2022.100902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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17
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Goreis A, Nater UM, Mewes R. Effects of chronic ethnic discrimination in the daily life of Turkish immigrants living in Austria: study protocol of a 30-day ambulatory assessment study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e046697. [PMID: 34620655 PMCID: PMC8499268 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic ethnic discrimination is associated with negative mental and physical health outcomes in ethnic minority groups. It is assumed that suffering from repeated discriminatory events leads, over time, to psychological consequences such as higher perceived stress, higher negative affect and lower positive affect. Higher stress reactivity to non-discriminatory stressors, such as daily hassles, as well as anticipation and avoidance behaviour regarding discriminatory events, may further contribute to the overall burden for affected individuals. Studies investigating chronic ethnic discrimination and its psychological consequences in the daily lives of affected persons are lacking. Here, we present a study protocol to investigate the impact of chronic ethnic discrimination and acute discriminatory events in the daily lives of Turkish immigrants living in Austria, using an ambulatory assessment design. The feasibility of our study design was tested and confirmed in a pilot study (n=10). METHODS AND ANALYSIS Ninety male Turkish immigrants will complete daily questionnaires for 30 days. Participants will indicate stress, perceived discrimination, negative and positive affect, daily hassles, anticipation and avoidance behaviour, as well as rumination with regard to discriminatory events on a daily basis. Furthermore, they will use preprogrammed iPods to assess acute discriminatory events in real time. Our hypotheses will be tested using multilevel analyses. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study has been approved by the institutional review board of the University of Vienna (reference number 00358). Results will be presented at conferences and submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Goreis
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Outpatient Unit for Research, Teaching and Practice, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ricarda Mewes
- Outpatient Unit for Research, Teaching and Practice, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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18
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Vinci C, Cambron C, Lam C, Wetter DW. Perceived discrimination and smoking lapse among Mexican Americans: An ecological momentary assessment study. Health Psychol 2021; 40:388-397. [PMID: 34323541 PMCID: PMC8344071 DOI: 10.1037/hea0001093] [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/ethnic minorities face unique stressors, including perceived discrimination (PD), that may increase the difficulty of quitting smoking relative to the general population of smokers. The current study examines the impact of acute PD on smoking lapse during a quit attempt, as well as potential mechanisms linking PD to lapse among Spanish-speaking Mexican Americans. METHOD Participants (N = 169) were Spanish-speaking Mexican Americans living in the United States who completed ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) multiple times per day for 21 days postquit. A multilevel structural equation model decomposed the effect of PD on smoking lapse into indirect effects through negative affect, positive affect, smoking urge, motivation to quit, and self-efficacy. RESULTS Results indicated that PD operated indirectly through negative affect, positive affect, and urge to smoke, above and beyond other mechanisms, to increase risk for smoking lapse. CONCLUSIONS Findings have direct implications for intervention development among this population, including the potential for developing strategies to buffer the impact of PD, as well as skills to directly manage increased negative affect and urge to smoke. Just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) might be particularly useful, given they are designed to deliver treatment in real-time (e.g., delivery of strategies to build resilience and implement coping strategies) that could counter the impact of PD on smoking lapse. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Joseph NT, Peterson LM, Gordon H, Kamarck TW. The double burden of racial discrimination in daily-life moments: Increases in negative emotions and depletion of psychosocial resources among emerging adult African Americans. CULTURAL DIVERSITY & ETHNIC MINORITY PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 27:234-244. [PMID: 32271044 PMCID: PMC7544613 DOI: 10.1037/cdp0000337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Racial discrimination is a common experience for African Americans, but no research has examined how discrimination reported in daily-life moments influences concurrent negative emotions and psychosocial resources. Method: Emerging adult African Americans (N = 54) reported hourly on momentary racial discrimination, negative emotions, and psychosocial resources across two days. Results: Controlling for past discrimination and trait emotion, momentary racial discrimination was associated with greater negative emotions and lower psychosocial resources (ps < .05). The relationship between momentary racial discrimination and negative emotions was stronger among individuals residing in areas with fewer African Americans (simple slope p < .0001). The relationship between momentary racial discrimination and psychosocial resources was stronger among individuals reporting greater past discrimination (simple slope p < .0001). Vicarious discrimination (exposure to discrimination experienced by another person) was associated with higher negative emotions (p < .01), but not with psychosocial resources. Conclusion: These results are the first to demonstrate that personal and vicarious racial discrimination are associated with negative emotions and lower coping resources in daily-life moments and that contextual factors modify these associations. Results refine our understanding of the immediate sequelae of discrimination in daily life and point to possible targets for ecological momentary interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Thomas W Kamarck
- Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh
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