Biomarkers of racism-based stress injury: A feasibility and correlation study
Abstract Background: Persistent discrimination and identity threats contribute to adverse health outcomes in minoritized groups, mediated by both structural racism and physiological stress responses. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of recruiting African American volunteers...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866124006836/type/journal_article |
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| author | Rachel Wangari Kimani Jonathan N. Tobin Steven W. Cole Ann Campbell Erich D. Jarvis |
| author_facet | Rachel Wangari Kimani Jonathan N. Tobin Steven W. Cole Ann Campbell Erich D. Jarvis |
| author_sort | Rachel Wangari Kimani |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Abstract
Background:
Persistent discrimination and identity threats contribute to adverse health outcomes in minoritized groups, mediated by both structural racism and physiological stress responses.
Objective:
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of recruiting African American volunteers for a pilot study of race-based stress, the acceptability of a mindfulness intervention designed to reduce racism-induced stress, and to evaluate preliminary associations between race-based stress and clinical, psychosocial, and biological measures.
Methods:
A convenience sample of African Americans aged 18–50 from New York City’s Tri-state area underwent assessments for racial discrimination using the Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) and Race-Based Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale. Mental health was evaluated using validated clinical scales measuring depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, mindfulness, resilience, sleep, interpersonal connection, and coping. Biomarkers were assessed through clinical laboratory tests, allostatic load assessment, and blood gene expression analysis.
Results:
Twenty participants (12 females, 8 males) completed assessments after consent. Elevated EDS scores were associated with adverse lipid profiles, including higher cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratios and lower HDL levels, as well as elevated inflammatory markers (NF-kB activity) and reduced antiviral response (interferon response factor). Those with high EDS reported poorer sleep, increased substance use, and lower resilience. Mindfulness was positively associated with coping and resilience but inversely to sleep disturbance. 90% showed interest in a mindfulness intervention targeting racism-induced stress.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrated an association between discrimination and adverse health effects among African Americans. These findings lay the groundwork for further research to explore the efficacy of mindfulness and other interventions on populations experiencing discrimination.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f14f0993d4e247989a4c5d9c5baeb176 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2059-8661 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-f14f0993d4e247989a4c5d9c5baeb1762025-01-24T07:21:57ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Clinical and Translational Science2059-86612025-01-01910.1017/cts.2024.683Biomarkers of racism-based stress injury: A feasibility and correlation studyRachel Wangari Kimani0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7735-7302Jonathan N. Tobin1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4722-539XSteven W. Cole2Ann Campbell3Erich D. Jarvis4Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USARockefeller University Center for Clinical and Translational Science, New York, NY, USA Clinical Directors Network, Inc. (CDN), New York, NY, USAUCLA School of Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Science, Los Angeles, CA, USALaboratory of Neurogenetics of Language, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USALaboratory of Neurogenetics of Language, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA Abstract Background: Persistent discrimination and identity threats contribute to adverse health outcomes in minoritized groups, mediated by both structural racism and physiological stress responses. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of recruiting African American volunteers for a pilot study of race-based stress, the acceptability of a mindfulness intervention designed to reduce racism-induced stress, and to evaluate preliminary associations between race-based stress and clinical, psychosocial, and biological measures. Methods: A convenience sample of African Americans aged 18–50 from New York City’s Tri-state area underwent assessments for racial discrimination using the Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) and Race-Based Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale. Mental health was evaluated using validated clinical scales measuring depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, mindfulness, resilience, sleep, interpersonal connection, and coping. Biomarkers were assessed through clinical laboratory tests, allostatic load assessment, and blood gene expression analysis. Results: Twenty participants (12 females, 8 males) completed assessments after consent. Elevated EDS scores were associated with adverse lipid profiles, including higher cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratios and lower HDL levels, as well as elevated inflammatory markers (NF-kB activity) and reduced antiviral response (interferon response factor). Those with high EDS reported poorer sleep, increased substance use, and lower resilience. Mindfulness was positively associated with coping and resilience but inversely to sleep disturbance. 90% showed interest in a mindfulness intervention targeting racism-induced stress. Conclusions: This study demonstrated an association between discrimination and adverse health effects among African Americans. These findings lay the groundwork for further research to explore the efficacy of mindfulness and other interventions on populations experiencing discrimination. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866124006836/type/journal_articleRacismhealth disparitiescardiovascular healthresiliencecopingmindfulnessstresstraumagene expression |
| spellingShingle | Rachel Wangari Kimani Jonathan N. Tobin Steven W. Cole Ann Campbell Erich D. Jarvis Biomarkers of racism-based stress injury: A feasibility and correlation study Journal of Clinical and Translational Science Racism health disparities cardiovascular health resilience coping mindfulness stress trauma gene expression |
| title | Biomarkers of racism-based stress injury: A feasibility and correlation study |
| title_full | Biomarkers of racism-based stress injury: A feasibility and correlation study |
| title_fullStr | Biomarkers of racism-based stress injury: A feasibility and correlation study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biomarkers of racism-based stress injury: A feasibility and correlation study |
| title_short | Biomarkers of racism-based stress injury: A feasibility and correlation study |
| title_sort | biomarkers of racism based stress injury a feasibility and correlation study |
| topic | Racism health disparities cardiovascular health resilience coping mindfulness stress trauma gene expression |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866124006836/type/journal_article |
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