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Discrimination, dispositions, and cardiovascular responses to stress.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Richman, LS; Bennett, GG; Pek, J; Siegler, I; Williams, RB
Published in: Health Psychol
November 2007

OBJECTIVE: Recent research suggests that past exposure to discrimination may influence perceptions of, and physiological responses to, new challenges. The authors examined how race and trait levels of hostility and optimism interact with past exposure to discrimination to predict physiological reactivity and recovery during an anger recall task. DESIGN: A community sample of 165 normotensive Black and White adults participated in an anger recall task while having their cardiovascular function monitored. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood pressure and heart rate indicators of physiological reactivity and recovery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Participants had higher reactivity and slower recovery to the anger recall task when they had high past discrimination, low cynicism, or high optimism. The pattern of effects was similar for both racial groups, but Blacks had more acute reactivity and slower recovery than Whites. These results are consistent with the perspective of discrimination as a chronic stressor that is related to acute stress responses, particularly for Blacks.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Health Psychol

DOI

ISSN

0278-6133

Publication Date

November 2007

Volume

26

Issue

6

Start / End Page

675 / 683

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • White People
  • Stress, Psychological
  • Regression Analysis
  • Public Health
  • Prejudice
  • Personality
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Heart Rate
 

Citation

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Richman, L. S., Bennett, G. G., Pek, J., Siegler, I., & Williams, R. B. (2007). Discrimination, dispositions, and cardiovascular responses to stress. Health Psychol, 26(6), 675–683. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.26.6.675
Richman, Laura Smart, Gary G. Bennett, Jolynn Pek, Ilene Siegler, and Redford B. Williams. “Discrimination, dispositions, and cardiovascular responses to stress.Health Psychol 26, no. 6 (November 2007): 675–83. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.26.6.675.
Richman LS, Bennett GG, Pek J, Siegler I, Williams RB. Discrimination, dispositions, and cardiovascular responses to stress. Health Psychol. 2007 Nov;26(6):675–83.
Richman, Laura Smart, et al. “Discrimination, dispositions, and cardiovascular responses to stress.Health Psychol, vol. 26, no. 6, Nov. 2007, pp. 675–83. Pubmed, doi:10.1037/0278-6133.26.6.675.
Richman LS, Bennett GG, Pek J, Siegler I, Williams RB. Discrimination, dispositions, and cardiovascular responses to stress. Health Psychol. 2007 Nov;26(6):675–683.

Published In

Health Psychol

DOI

ISSN

0278-6133

Publication Date

November 2007

Volume

26

Issue

6

Start / End Page

675 / 683

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • White People
  • Stress, Psychological
  • Regression Analysis
  • Public Health
  • Prejudice
  • Personality
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Heart Rate