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

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 disease; cardiovascular risk factors; discrimination; immigrants; psychological distress.

Figure 1

Path model.

Figure 2

Path diagram of measurement model and structural model. PD₁-PD₉ are the nine items of perceived discrimination questionnaire and PS₁-PS₁₂ are the twelve items of psychological distress questionnaire (See Table 1 and Table 2).