title: The association between discrimination and the health of Sikh Asian Indians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the relationships between self-reported discrimination (SRD) and mental and physical health (self-reported physical health conditions and direct, physiologic measures [BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and blood pressure]) among Sikh Asian Indians (AI), a group that may be particularly discriminated against because of physical manifestations of their faith, including a tendency to wear turbans or ethnic clothing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sikh AIs (N = 196) were recruited from Sikh gurdwaras in Queens, New York. Data were collected on SRD, social support, and self-reported health, along with multiple direct physiological measures for cardiovascular health.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants who wore turbans/scarves reported higher levels of discrimination than those who did not wear turbans/scarves. As hypothesized, multiple regression analysis supported that discrimination is significantly associated with poorer self-reported mental (B = -.53, p < .001) and physical health (B = -.16, p = .04) while controlling for socioeconomic, acculturation, and social support factors. The study did not support an association between SRD and physiologic measures (elevated BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and blood pressure).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consistent with previous discrimination and health reports, this study demonstrated an inverse relationship between discrimination and health among Sikh AIs, an understudied yet high-risk minority population. Community-based efforts are also needed to reduce the occurrence or buffer the effects of discrimination experienced by Sikh AIs. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: New York University College of Nursing.
authors.forename: Sarah B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Nadimpalli
authors.affiliation: New York University College of Nursing.
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cleland
authors.affiliation: Boston College.
authors.forename: M Katherine
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.affiliation: NYU School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.affiliation: The Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center.
authors.forename: Lisa L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.affiliation: New York University College of Nursing.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Van Devanter
mesh_terms: D001213:Asian; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D063505:Racism; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology