Group identity, discrimination, and well-being: confluence of psychosocial and neurobiological factors

• Social identity may protect against the negative effects of discrimination.
• Discrimination/stigma is linked to poorer outcomes when they are chronic and pervasive.
• Discrimination that diminishes well-being is tied to neurobiological changes.
• Chronic discrimination increases cortisol levels, but may be moderated by social identity.
• The behavioral and neurobiological effects of discrimination may be moderated by oxytocin.

In this paper we examine the variability in the associations between discrimination/stigma and vulnerability to poor health outcomes in light of psychosocial and neurobiological processes that might contribute to these relations. Depending on the features of the discrimination or stigma, different neurobiological stress reactions occur (i.e., cortisol reactivity vs. blunting). The effects of discrimination and stigma on well-being may be moderated by oxytocin, as this hormone influences processes related to the salience of the social category. Emerging areas that may further illuminate the links between discrimination and health outcomes involve the inflammatory immune system, as well as intergenerational transmission of severe or chronic stressors.