Large Arterial Elasticity Varies as a Function of Gender and Racism-Related Vigilance in Black Youth

BackgroundThis exploratory study examined the relationship of gender and racism-related vigilance to baseline and task-induced changes in large arterial elasticity (LAE).MethodsThe 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.ResultsAlthough 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).ConclusionsThe 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.