Journal of Biosocial Science
Volume 42, Issue 4, 2010, Pages 433-461

Discrimination-related stress, blood pressure and Epstein-Barr virus antibodies among Latin American immigrants in Oregon, US (Article)

McClure H.H. , Martinez Jr. C.R. , Snodgrass J.J. , Eddy J.M. , Jiménez R.A. , Isiordia L.E. , McDade T.W.
  • a Oregon Social Learning Center, Eugene, OR, United States, Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States
  • b Oregon Social Learning Center, Eugene, OR, United States
  • c Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States
  • d Oregon Social Learning Center, Eugene, OR, United States
  • e Farmworker Housing Development Corporation, Woodburn, OR, United States
  • f Farmworker Housing Development Corporation, Woodburn, OR, United States
  • g Department of Anthropology, Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States

Abstract

Perceived discrimination has been linked to poor health outcomes among ethnic and racial minorities in the United States, though the relationship of discrimination-related stress to immigrant health is not well understood. This article reports findings from a preliminary study that examined blood pressure and Epstein-Barr virus antibody levels in relation to self-reported indicators of stress, acculturation and social support among 79 adult immigrant Latino farm workers in Oregon, US. Findings show that increases in discrimination-related stress predicted elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) and Epstein-Barr virus antibody levels among male participants. Though female participants reported similar levels of discrimination stress, this perceived stress was not reflected in biological measures. Among women, greater English language engagement was linked to higher SBP, and more years in the US was associated with higher diastolic blood pressure. Study results suggest that male and female immigrants' physiological responses to stress may be influenced in distinctive ways by processes of adjustment to life in the US. If replicated, the finding that discrimination stress predicts elevated SBP may have clinical and public health implications given that elevated SBP is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. © 2010 Cambridge University Press.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

social psychology Antibodies, Viral physiology psychological aspect blood pressure human sex difference middle aged Interview, Psychological Stress, Psychological mental stress social support ethnology Hispanic Americans United States Young Adult Humans Hispanic male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation female virus antibody cultural factor immunology psychologic test Article blood adult Epstein Barr virus migration Prejudice Sex Factors Herpesvirus 4, Human Oregon pathophysiology
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77957242413&doi=10.1017%2fS0021932010000039&partnerID=40&md5=2177c16aa731fe06fc12a812c18332f8
DOI: 10.1017/S0021932010000039
ISSN: 00219320
Cited by: 33
Original Language: English