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. 2023 May 23;57(6):442-452.
doi: 10.1093/abm/kaac071.

Discrimination and Sleep: Differential Effects by Type and Coping Strategy

Angelina Majeno  1 , Kristine M Molina  1 , Christine F Frisard  2 , Stephenie C Lemon  3 , Milagros C Rosal  3
Affiliations

Discrimination and Sleep: Differential Effects by Type and Coping Strategy

Angelina Majeno et al. Ann Behav Med. .

Abstract

Background: Discrimination has been posited as a contributor of sleep disparities for Latinxs. The strategy used to cope with discrimination may reduce or exacerbate its effects on sleep. This study examined whether different types of discrimination (everyday and major lifetime discrimination) were associated with sleep indices (quality, disturbances, efficiency) and whether coping strategy used moderated associations.

Method: Data of Latinx adults (N = 602; 51% women, 65% Dominican, Mage = 46.72 years) come from the Latino Health and Well-being Project, a community-based, cross-sectional study of Latinxs in Lawrence, MA. Multiple linear regressions were estimated separately for each sleep outcome.

Results: Everyday discrimination was significantly associated with poorer sleep quality and greater disturbances; major lifetime discrimination was significantly associated with worse sleep across the three sleep indices. Coping strategy moderated associations between discrimination and sleep. Compared with Latinxs who used passive coping, those who used passive-active coping strategies had poorer sleep quality the more they experienced everyday discrimination. Latinxs who used any active coping strategy, compared with passive coping, had greater sleep disturbances the more frequently they experienced major lifetime discrimination.

Conclusions: Findings show that everyday discrimination and major lifetime discrimination are associated with different dimensions of sleep and suggest that coping with discrimination may require the use of different strategies depending on the type of discrimination experienced.

Keywords: Latinxs; coping; everyday discrimination; major lifetime discrimination; psychosocial stressors; sleep health.

Plain language summary

Experiencing discrimination can negatively affect sleep. But some coping strategies may reduce the negative impact of discrimination on sleep. This study investigated the link between multiple forms of discrimination (i.e., everyday and major lifetime) and various aspects of sleep, including quality, efficiency, and sleep disturbances. We also investigated whether the use of active coping (e.g., discussing discriminatory experiences) and passive coping (e.g., keeping discriminatory experiences to oneself) improved or worsened sleep outcomes. The study analyzed survey data from 602 Latinx adults. Individuals reported on their sleep, discrimination, and the coping strategies they used in response to discriminatory experiences. Everyday discrimination was related to poor sleep quality and more sleep disturbances. Lifetime discrimination was related to all sleep outcomes. Among those reporting more everyday discrimination, using both active and passive coping strategies was associated with poor sleep quality. Using any type of active coping was related to more sleep disturbances among individuals who reported more major lifetime discrimination. Selecting a coping strategy that is protective may depend on the frequency and type of discrimination.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Sleep quality as a function of everyday discrimination and coping strategy.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Sleep disturbances as a function of major lifetime discrimination and coping strategy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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