Abstract
The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of discrimination and psychological distress on the cardiovascular health of immigrants, as well as to analyse potential differences based on age, gender, length of residence in host country and geographic origin. The sample was formed by 1714 immigrants from Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Of the sample, 48.7% were men and 51.3% were women. Most relevant results show that discrimination (t = 4.27; p = 0.000) and psychological distress (t = 4.35; p = 0.000) experienced by immigrants predict their cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, psychological distress mediates the relation between discrimination and risk (t = 4.03; p = 0.000). Significant differences between men and women were found, as well as differences based on ethnicity, although to a lesser extent. Age affects the relation between discrimination, psychological distress and arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Results are notably relevant for the design of preventive health programmes for immigrants and intervention strategies in order to prevent diseases that may imply cardiovascular risks and seriously affect immigrants’ health.
Highlights
IntroductionHypertension and hyperlipidemia are common diseases worldwide [1], and they are considered two of the main risk factors of cardiovascular problems [2]
The measurement model is exclusively presented for the total sample, in order to avoid redundancy, while the structural model shows the results of the total group of immigrants and the results, separately, based on geographic origin and gender
The present study is innovative because it analyses the relation between discrimination, psychological distress and cardiovascular risk in immigrants from different ethnic origins who live in
Summary
Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are common diseases worldwide [1], and they are considered two of the main risk factors of cardiovascular problems [2]. Upon the arrival of immigrants to host countries, they usually experience different sorts of discrimination that make them feel unjustly treated just because of having a different ethnical origin [4]. These feelings of exclusion and rejection are a strong source of stress that affects their health severely. The perception of discrimination is tightly linked to the risk of suffering cardiovascular diseases [5], even when sociodemographic variables such as socioeconomic levels are taken into consideration [6]
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