Abstract

Background

Experiences of discrimination are a risk factor for subsequent cardiovascular disease. However, there is a lack of longitudinal research examining associations between discrimination and urinary catecholamines. This is surprising given the likely mediating role of sympathetic nervous system dysregulation in the association between psychosocial stress and cardiovascular morbidity.

Purpose

The current study examined the 3 year longitudinal association between experiences of discrimination and urinary catecholamines.

Methods

The sample included 149 college students (mean age at baseline = 18.8, standard deviation = 0.96; 45% Black/African American; 55% White/European American). Concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine—urinary catecholamines with established links to psychosocial stress exposure and subsequent morbidity—were determined from 12 hr overnight samples.

Results

Results indicated that experiences of discrimination were associated with increases in both epinephrine (β = .284, standard error [SE] = .117, p = .015) and norepinephrine (β = .306, SE = .114, p = .001). These longitudinal associations persisted after adjusting for negative affect, depression, and rejection sensitivity and did not vary as a function of race/ethnicity.

Conclusions

Results suggest that examination of overnight urinary catecholamines as a biological mediator of associations between experiences of discrimination and cardiovascular morbidity is warranted.

中文翻译：

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歧视经验和尿儿茶酚胺浓度：大学生样本中的纵向关联。

摘要

背景

歧视经历是随后发生心血管疾病的危险因素。然而，缺乏纵向研究来检验歧视与尿儿茶酚胺之间的关联。鉴于交感神经系统失调在社会心理压力和心血管发病率之间的关联中可能具有中介作用，这令人惊讶。

目的

目前的研究调查了歧视经历与尿儿茶酚胺之间 3 年的纵向关联。

方法

样本包括 149 名大学生（基线平均年龄 = 18.8，标准差 = 0.96；45% 的黑人/非裔美国人；55% 的白人/欧洲裔美国人）。肾上腺素和去甲肾上腺素的浓度——尿儿茶酚胺与心理社会压力暴露和随后的发病率建立了联系——是从 12 小时过夜样本中确定的。

结果

结果表明，歧视经历与肾上腺素（β = .284，标准误 [SE] = .117，p = .015）和去甲肾上腺素（β = .306，SE = .114，p = .001）的增加有关）。在调整了负面影响、抑郁和拒绝敏感性后，这些纵向关联仍然存在，并且不随种族/民族而变化。

结论

结果表明，有必要检查隔夜尿儿茶酚胺作为歧视经历与心血管发病率之间关联的生物介质。