EFFECTS OF RACIST PROVOCATION AND SOCIAL SUPPORT ON CARDIOVASCULAR REACTIVITY IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN

It has been speculated that exposure to the chronic stress of racism c ontributes to the high rates of hypertension among African Americans. Social support may buffer the effects of stress on cardiovascular (CV) health by attenuating stress-induced CV responses that have been link ed to hypertension. In this study we investigated the effects of racis m and social support on CV reactivity in African American women. Parti cipants showed greater increases in CV and emotional responses while r esponding and listening to racist provocation. Augmented blood pressur e (BP) persisted through recovery following racial stress. Participant s receiving no support showed the greatest increases in anger during r acist provocation. No significant effects were seen for support on CV reactivity. These results provide some of the first evidence that inte ractive confrontation with racism elicits significant increases in CV reactivity and emotional distress. Furthermore, individuals receiving less support may be at greater risk for the potentially health-damagin g effects of racial stress. These findings may have significant implic ations for the health of African Americans.