Accumulating burden: Exposure to interpersonal discrimination based on multiple attributes and allostatic load

Abstract

Exposure to interpersonal discrimination is an acute type of social stressor. Extant evidence suggests a positive association exists between experiencing interpersonal discrimination and physiological dysregulation measured by allostatic load. However, research to date has overlooked the role of exposure to interpersonal discrimination based on multiple attributes. This is an important oversight because individuals who confront discrimination often accredit the experiences to more than one attribute, which may be associated with increased stress and adverse physiological functioning. Using data from the Wave V biomarker subsample of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), I investigate the relationship between reports of interpersonal discrimination based on multiple attributes and allostatic load among adults ages 33–44. I also consider the roles of frequency of exposure to discrimination and perceived stress in this relationship through moderation and mediation analyses. Results reveal a positive association between the number of forms of discrimination that individuals report and allostatic load. However, frequency of exposure to discrimination does not moderate this association. Moreover, frequency of discrimination did not mediate the association between the number of forms of discrimination and perceived stress only marginally mediated it. This study offers novel and important insight into the role of exposure to more than one form of discrimination and allostatic load. Given that heightened allostatic load is a precursor to the development of chronic conditions and a strong risk factor for mortality, efforts to reduce discrimination among Americans adults will work to improve physical health.