Patrick R Steffen1, Matthew Bowden. 1. Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University; 284 Taylor Building; Provo, UT 84602-8626, USA. steffen@byu.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of racism on sleep disturbance and depression and to examine whether sleep disturbance mediates the effects of racism on depression. DESIGN: Cross-sectional questionnaire study. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: 168 Hispanic-American immigrants, 45% female, average age 33 years, average length of time living in the United States was 5 years. MEASURES: The Perceived Racism Scale for Latinos, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale. RESULTS: Using hierarchical linear regression analyses, perceived racism was related to increased sleep disturbance (b=.21, P<.01) and higher levels of depressive symptoms (b=.24, P<.01). When sleep disturbance was included in the regression equation, perceived racism was no longer a significant predictor of depressive symptoms (b=.10, nonsignificant), indicating that sleep disturbance mediated the relationship between perceived racism and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the research literature by identifying sleep disturbance as a potential pathway through which perceived racism may affect health.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of racism on sleep disturbance and depression and to examine whether sleep disturbance mediates the effects of racism on depression. DESIGN: Cross-sectional questionnaire study. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: 168 Hispanic-American immigrants, 45% female, average age 33 years, average length of time living in the United States was 5 years. MEASURES: The Perceived Racism Scale for Latinos, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale. RESULTS: Using hierarchical linear regression analyses, perceived racism was related to increased sleep disturbance (b=.21, P<.01) and higher levels of depressive symptoms (b=.24, P<.01). When sleep disturbance was included in the regression equation, perceived racism was no longer a significant predictor of depressive symptoms (b=.10, nonsignificant), indicating that sleep disturbance mediated the relationship between perceived racism and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the research literature by identifying sleep disturbance as a potential pathway through which perceived racism may affect health.
Authors: Marie-Pierre St-Onge; Michael A Grandner; Devin Brown; Molly B Conroy; Girardin Jean-Louis; Michael Coons; Deepak L Bhatt Journal: Circulation Date: 2016-09-19 Impact factor: 29.690