Perceived Discrimination, Psychological Distress and Cardiovascular Risk in Migrants in Spain

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of discrimination and psychological distress on the cardiovascular health of immigrants, as well as to analyse potential differences based on age, gender, length of residence in host country and geographic origin. The sample was formed by 1714 immigrants from Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Of the sample, 48.7% were men and 51.3% were women. Most relevant results show that discrimination (t = 4.27; p = 0.000) and psychological distress (t = 4.35; p = 0.000) experienced by immigrants predict their cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, psychological distress mediates the relation between discrimination and risk (t = 4.03; p = 0.000). Significant differences between men and women were found, as well as differences based on ethnicity, although to a lesser extent. Age affects the relation between discrimination, psychological distress and arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Results are notably relevant for the design of preventive health programmes for immigrants and intervention strategies in order to prevent diseases that may imply cardiovascular risks and seriously affect immigrants’ health.

Discrimination and Psychosocial Well-Being of Migrants in Spain: The Moderating Role of Sense of Community

“…It includes within its scope personality disorders or patterns of adjustment related to distress. This questionnaire has proved to be an effective tool for the evaluation of mental health symptoms in clinical patients and the general population (González-Castro and Ubillos, 2011;Martos-Méndez et al, 2020). It consists of 12 items which are answered through a four-point Likert-type scale (0-3) ranging from (0) = Not at all, to (3) = Much more than usual (e.g., "Have you felt constantly overwhelmed and stressed?").…”

Does the immigrant health advantage extend to incarcerated immigrants?

“…Immigrants who experience incarceration may be less healthy, and face greater barriers to health care ( Balcazar et al, 2015 ), than those who do not experience incarceration. Imprisonment—a highly stressful experience ( Porter, 2019 )—may exacerbate these vulnerabilities, as psychological distress, perceived discrimination, and worry about deportation predict cardiovascular risk among immigrants ( Martos-Méndez et al, 2020 ; Torres et al, 2018 ). Furthermore, incarceration removes social support ( Poehlmann, 2005 ), one proposed contributor to the overall immigrant health advantage ( Eschbach et al, 2004 ).…”

Psychosocial and Sociodemographic Determinants Related to Chronic Diseases in Immigrants Residing in Spain

“…Immigrants’ health has been analyzed in recent studies [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) (2019), health problems in immigrants are similar to those of the general population, although there is higher prevalence among certain groups and countries of origin [ 5 ].…”