Original article
Large Arterial Elasticity Varies as a Function of Gender and Racism-Related Vigilance in Black Youth

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.02.012Get rights and content

Abstract

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.

Section snippets

Study Population

The convenience sample for this study included 153 youth (girls: 48%, n = 74) who were drawn from a pool of 225 black students who are participating in a larger longitudinal study, which examines correlates of biobehavioral functioning in black youth. The larger cohort was recruited from three elementary/middle schools in an urban, Midwestern city. Potential youth participants who were able to give informed assent and parent participants who were able to give informed consent were eligible to

Descriptive and Bivariate Analyses

As shown in Table 1, a t-test analysis indicated that the two primary predictor variables, gender and racism-related vigilance, were not significantly related to one another (p > .25). Also illustrated in Table 1, t-test analyses revealed that with the exception of higher subjective stress and caffeine scores in girls compared with boys (both p < .004), the primary predictor variables were not significantly related to age, body mass index, alcohol drinks/week, family history of hypertension,

Discussion

This study explored the relationship of gender and racism-related vigilance to LAE in a normotensive sample of black youth. Overall, the laboratory task used in this investigation was associated with increased cardiovascular functioning (i.e., blood pressure, pulse rate, and vascular resistance) in both boys and girls. Consistent with Tsai et al [39], who examined hemodynamic and arterial properties associated with mental stress in normotensives and mild hypertensives, this task was also

Acknowledgments

Preparation of this manuscript was supported by grant numbers 1 K01 MH01867 from the National Institute of Mental Health and S P50 ES012395 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The authors are grateful to Lesley Goins, Charles Williams, Karen Freeman, Brian Pitts, Jr., and Abraham Hagos for their assistance with data collection and entry.

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    This article is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Clark, who died unexpectedly in May 2006.

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