title: Perceived discrimination, psychological distress, and current smoking status: results from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Reactions to Race module, 2004-2008.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the association between perceived discrimination and smoking status and whether psychological distress mediated this relationship in a large, multiethnic sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used 2004 through 2008 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Reactions to Race module to conduct multivariate logistic regression analyses and tests of mediation examining associations between perceived discrimination in health care and workplace settings, psychological distress, and current smoking status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regardless of race/ethnicity, perceived discrimination was associated with increased odds of current smoking. Psychological distress was also a significant mediator of the discrimination-smoking association.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that individuals who report discriminatory treatment in multiple domains may be more likely to smoke, in part, because of the psychological distress associated with such treatment.
authors.affiliation: George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA. jpurnell@gwbmail.wustl.edu
authors.forename: Jason Q
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Purnell
authors.forename: Luke J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Peppone
authors.forename: Kassandra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alcaraz
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McQueen
authors.forename: Joseph J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Guido
authors.forename: Jennifer K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: Enbal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shacham
authors.forename: Gary R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Morrow
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult