Large arterial elasticity varies as a function of gender and racism-related vigilance in black youth.
BACKGROUND
This exploratory study examined the relationship of gender and racism-related vigilance to baseline and task-induced changes in large arterial elasticity (LAE).


METHODS
The convenience sample consisted of 153 black youth (M age = 11.5 years, SD = 1.4) who were normotensive. Large arterial elasticity was measured via pulse wave contour analysis, before, during, and after a sequentially administered digit forward and digit backward task. Racism-related vigilance was reported by participants.


RESULTS
Although findings from general linear models indicated that the independent effects of gender and racism-related vigilance were not significantly related to LAE (baseline, reactivity, or recovery) (all p > .05), these analyses showed that gender and racism-related vigilance interacted to predict baseline LAE (p < .02) and task-induced changes (reactivity only) in LAE (p < .006). Follow-up regression analyses explicating the pattern of these interaction effects indicated that 1) racism-related vigilance was marginally and inversely related to baseline LAE among boys (p < .06) but not in girls (p > .21); and, 2) racism-related vigilance was positively and significantly associated with task-induced changes (reactivity) in LAE among boys (p < .008) but not in girls (p > .30).


CONCLUSIONS
The relationship between racism-related vigilance and LAE varies as a function of gender, and may have longer-term implications for between and within-group disparities in cardiovascular health.
Clark
Rodney
R
Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Benkert
Ramona A
RA
Flack
John M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D001158:Arteries / Q000502:physiology; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011287:Prejudice; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology