Meta-analysis of interpersonal discrimination and health-related behaviors.

OBJECTIVE: This article comprehensively examines the relationship between interpersonal discrimination (IPD) and health-related behavior (HB), expanding upon Pascoe and Richman's (2009) meta-analysis and research synthesis. METHOD: One hundred and twenty one articles providing zero-order correlations (or information allowing their calculation) between perceptions of IPD and a variety of HB outcomes were coded and analyzed using a random-effects meta-analysis model. One hundred and fifty six articles examining this relationship using multivariate models were also coded and summarized within a research synthesis. Subanalyses were performed for articles examining smoking, alcohol use/abuse, substance use/abuse, sexual risk, and diet/eating behaviors. Potential mediators of the IPD-HB relationship were also tallied when available. RESULTS: Compared to the original analysis, results suggest an overall attenuated but stable relationship between IPD and HBs. CONCLUSIONS: The documented meta-analytic associations between perceptions of IPD and a variety of HB provide supportive evidence for one pathway through which IPD heightens risk for negative physical health outcomes among marginalized groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Perceived discrimination and health: a meta-analytic review.

Perceived discrimination has been studied with regard to its impact on several types of health effects. This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive account of the relationships between multiple forms of perceived discrimination and both mental and physical health outcomes. In addition, this meta-analysis examines potential mechanisms by which perceiving discrimination may affect health, including through psychological and physiological stress responses and health behaviors. Analysis of 134 samples suggests that when weighting each study's contribution by sample size, perceived discrimination has a significant negative effect on both mental and physical health. Perceived discrimination also produces significantly heightened stress responses and is related to participation in unhealthy and nonparticipation in healthy behaviors. These findings suggest potential pathways linking perceived discrimination to negative health outcomes.

Validation of the Food-Linked Virtual Response task.

This research validates a computerized dietary selection task (Food-Linked Virtual Response or FLVR) for use in studies of food consumption. In two studies, FLVR task responses were compared with measures of health consciousness, mood, body mass index, personality, cognitive restraint toward food, and actual food selections from a buffet table. The FLVR task was associated with variables which typically predict healthy decision-making and was unrelated to mood or body mass index. Furthermore, the FLVR task predicted participants' unhealthy selections from the buffet, but not overall amount of food. The FLVR task is an inexpensive, valid, and easily administered option for assessing momentary dietary decisions.