Background: Overall rates of hypertension continue to be disproportionately higher in Blacks than other major ethnic groups in the United States. Research suggests that perceived racism and racism-specific coping responses may be associated with such cardiovascular conditions as hypertension. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of perceived racism and coping responses to blood pressure status (normotensive, high normal, and hypertensive) in Black youth. Methods: As part of a larger investigation, participants completed questionnaires about perceived racism and usual ways of coping with these perceptions. These questionnaires were completed in a group setting. Approximately two weeks after the group interview, four resting blood pressure assessments were taken via an automatic blood pressure monitor. The mean age of the sample was 11.6 years (SD=1.47), and average resting blood pressure levels were within normal limits. Seventy-five percent of the sample was nomotensive; 8% were high-normal; and, 17% were hypertensive. Based on a conceptual model of perceived racism and health (Clark, Anderson, Williams, & Clark, 1999), the research questions for this study were as follows: (1) Is perceived racism related to blood pressure status; and, (2) Are coping responses associated with resting blood pressure status? Results: Logistic analyses indicated that perceived racism was positively associated with the odds of having elevated blood pressure. These analyses also showed that the coping responses of “Taking Action” and ”Talking to Someone” were inversely associated with the odds of having elevated blood pressure. Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential importance of exploring the extent to which environmental and psychosocial factors are related to vascular functioning in Black youth.
Session #1222 - Undergraduate Submissions
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)