Inflammation is an understudied pathway potentially linking racial discrimination-related stress and poor cardiovascular health among Black/African American individuals. Exposure to racial discrimination has been associated with elevated inflammation among racial minority groups in past research; however, most studies have been cross-sectional and did not examine different aspects of racial discrimination concurrently. Moreover, religion is foundational to the African American community. Limited work has examined whether religious coping behaviors diminish the health detriments associated with racial discrimination-related stress. Faith may provide resilience to the effects of chronic stress on cardiovascular health.
The proposed study will utilize participant data from the HANDLS study to test the longitudinal associations between racial discrimination-related stressors and inflammation in a sample of 188 middle-aged Black/African American and White adults. Exposure to racial discrimination-related stress (interpersonal discrimination, socioeconomic-related pressures, neighborhood disadvantage) and religiosity have been measured through participant self-report. Existing data on neighborhood characteristics are publicly available. Blood serum samples were collected at baseline and at each follow-up visit. We will assess levels of inflammatory proteins across two visits using cytokine assays.
We hypothesize that among White adults, poverty status may contribute to higher inflammatory markers, whereas racial discrimination-related stressors (discrimination, neighborhood disadvantage) may drive elevated inflammation among African American adults. However, among African American adults who turn to religious coping, the detrimental health consequences associated with racial discrimination will be lessened over time. We do not expect these same effects among White adults.
This study will provide insight into how racial discrimination-related stress and religious coping influence the inflammatory process and biological aging.