Differential Effects of Perceived Discrimination on the Diurnal Cortisol Rhythm of African Americans and Whites

Authors

Thomas E. Fuller-Rowell, Auburn University
Stacey N. Doan, Claremont McKenna CollegeFollow
Jacquelynne S. Eccles, University of Michigan

Document Type

Article

Department

Claremont McKenna College, Psychology (CMC)

Publication Date

2012

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 (Mage = 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.

Rights Information

© 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

Terms of Use & License Information

Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.05.011

Recommended Citation

Fuller-Rowell, T.E. Doan, S.N. & Eccles, J. (2012). Differential effects of perceived discrimination on the diurnal cortisol rhythm of African Americans and Whites. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 37(1):107-18.