title: Differential effects of perceived discrimination on the diurnal cortisol rhythm of African Americans and Whites.
abstract: The current study considered the influence of perceived discrimination on the diurnal cortisol rhythm of 50 African American older adults and a matched comparison groups of 100 Whites (M(age)=56.6; 58% female). The role of socioeconomic status (SES) as a moderator of the effects of discrimination on the diurnal decline was also considered for each group. In support of the idea that perceptions of unfair treatment take on a unique meaning for stigmatized minority groups, results suggest that perceived discrimination is associated with a flatter (less healthy) diurnal slope among Whites but a steeper (more healthy) diurnal slope among African Americans. Perceived discrimination was also found to be more strongly associated with a steepening of the diurnal slope among lower SES African Americans than higher SES African Americans.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Social Research, Universityof Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA. tom.fullerrowell@gmail.com
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Fuller-Rowell
authors.forename: Stacey N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Doan
authors.forename: Jacquelynne S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Eccles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012923:Social Class; D012938:Social Perception; D013240:Stereotyping; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone