This paper describes 2 studies that evaluated a new instrument, the Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire-Community Version (PEDQ-CV). The PEDQ-CV can be used across ethnic groups to assess perceived racism or ethnic discrimination. The scales measure several subdimensions of racism, permitting the examination of different forms of this race-related stressor. The first study evaluated the psychometric properties of the PEDQ-CV in a large sample of community-dwelling adults. The second evaluated psychometric properties of a brief version of the PEDQ-CV, developed for research protocols requiring a shorter administration time. Tests were made of reliability and several forms of construct validity. Both versions of the PEDQ-CV have good reliability and construct validity. The PEDQ-CV can facilitate the development of an integrative body of knowledge across different ethnic groups regarding the existence, determinants, and consequences of discrimination.Racism or ethnic discrimination3 has been hypothesized to contribute to the well-documented racial and ethnic disparities in health (Anderson & Armstead, 3There is little consensus on the best terms to use to distinguish among groups based on phenotypic or cultural characteristics, and both scientific and political factors influence the debate. Some terms (e.g., Black) have been used to refer to racial groups, Vootnote continues on the nexr puge)

The results suggest that racism may influence cardiovascular disease risk through its effects on nocturnal BP recovery.

Racism is a significant psychosocial stressor that is hypothesized to have negative psychological and physical health consequences. The Reserve Capacity Model (Gallo & Matthews, 2003) suggests that low socioeconomic status may influence health through its effects on negative affect. We extend this model to study the effects of racism, examining the association of lifetime perceived racism to trait and daily negative affect. A multiethnic sample of 362 American-born Black and Latino adults completed the Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire-Community Version (PEDQ-CV). Trait negative affect was assessed with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and state negative affect was measured using ecological momentary assessments (EMA), in the form of an electronic diary. Analyses revealed a significant relationship of lifetime perceived racism to both daily negative affect and trait negative affect, even when controlling for trait hostility and socioeconomic status. The relationship of perceived racism to negative affect was moderated by education, such that the relationships were strongest for those with less than a high school education. The findings support aspects of the Reserve Capacity Model and identify pathways through which perceived racism may affect health status.

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