Lifetime Major Discrimination Experiences Moderate the Impact of Depressive Symptoms on Chronic Conditions among Black Americans

Abstract

To clarify the ways in which Black Americans’ experiences of structural racism may influence their mental and physical health in distinct ways, the present study evaluated whether major discrimination moderates the association between depressive symptoms and chronic physical health conditions among this population. t-tests and chi-squared tests of significance were used to determine significant differences between women and men. The association between major discrimination and depressive symptoms was examined by assessing mean depressive symptoms scores across levels of major discrimination. ANOVA tests indicated whether there were significant differences in symptom scores across each discrimination category. Additional t-tests determined significant gender differences within each level of discrimination. Gender-stratified negative binomial models were used, and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for the relationship between depressive symptoms, major discrimination, and chronic conditions. Our findings indicated that the association between depressive symptoms and chronic conditions depends on lifetime experiences of major discrimination among Black Americans and varies significantly between women and men. Considering that major discrimination conditioned the depressive symptom-chronic conditions association among our sample, this provides insight into potential pathways for intervention in efforts to offset the detrimental mental and physical consequences of experiencing racism.

Vicarious Experiences of Major Discrimination and Psychological Distress among Black Men and Women

“…S. Wang, Berglund, and Kessler 2000; Williams et al 2007). Moreover, highly distressed Black individuals face heightened risk of co-occurring chronic health conditions that may further exacerbate their psychological issues (Erving and Frazier 2021; Skrine Jeffers et al 2021). These patterns not only suggest that psychological distress manifests in distinct ways among Black Americans, but also underscores the need to identify group-specific processes and exposures, such as vicarious discrimination, which contribute to elevated levels of psychological distress among this population.…”