Perceived Discrimination, Psychological Distress and Cardiovascular Risk in Migrants in Spain

María José Martos-Méndez, Alba García-Cid, Luis Gómez-Jacinto and Isabel Hombrados-Mendieta
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María José Martos-Méndez: Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Alba García-Cid: Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Luis Gómez-Jacinto: Faculty of Social and Labour Studies, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Isabel Hombrados-Mendieta: Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-18

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.

Keywords: cardiovascular risk factors; immigrants; discrimination; psychological distress; cardiovascular disease (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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