%0 Journal Article
%T Large arterial elasticity varies as a function of gender and racism-related vigilance in black youth
%J Journal of Adolescent Health
%D 2006
%A Clark, Roseanne
%A Benkert, Ramona A.
%A Flack, John M.
%V 39
%N 4
%P 562-569
%X BACKGROUND: This exploratory study examined the relationship of gender and racism-related vigilance to baseline and task-induced changes in large arterial elasticity (LAE). METHODS: The convenience sample consisted of 153 black youth (M age = 11.5 years, SD = 1.4) who were normotensive. Large arterial elasticity was measured via pulse wave contour analysis, before, during, and after a sequentially administered digit forward and digit backward task. Racism-related vigilance was reported by participants. RESULTS: Although findings from general linear models indicated that the independent effects of gender and racism-related vigilance were not significantly related to LAE (baseline, reactivity, or recovery) (all p > .05), these analyses showed that gender and racism-related vigilance interacted to predict baseline LAE (p < .02) and task-induced changes (reactivity only) in LAE (p < .006). Follow-up regression analyses explicating the pattern of these interaction effects indicated that 1) racism-related vigilance was marginally and inversely related to baseline LAE among boys (p < .06) but not in girls (p > .21); and, 2) racism-related vigilance was positively and significantly associated with task-induced changes (reactivity) in LAE among boys (p < .008) but not in girls (p > .30). CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between racism-related vigilance and LAE varies as a function of gender, and may have longer-term implications for between and within-group disparities in cardiovascular health.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Elsevier Publishing
%@ 1054-139X
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.02.012