The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68330

Carol-Ann Watson, MS, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University at Albany, One University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, 518-402-0353, cwatson@albany.edu and Louise-Anne McNutt, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, University at Albany, School of Public Health, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of perceived racial discrimination, childhood and partner abuse on the health status of Black women. METHODS: Between June and August 2001, women ages 18-44 residing in a northeastern urban area were randomly selected to participate using the street-intercept method. The interview queried on demographic characteristics, mental and physical health, and perceived lifetime discrimination (validated 7-item scale that assessed discrimination in various settings). Abuse experiences were ascertained using over 40 questions about partner violence (physical, sexual, emotional) and childhood abuse (physical, sexual, emotional), including several validated scales. Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios while controlling for age, education, economic hardship and occupation. Bootstrap confidence intervals were computed. RESULTS: Thirty-five percent of Black women reported perceiving racial discrimination in their lifetime. Almost half the women (48%) reported some form of emotional abuse and 33% reported physical abuse. Preliminary regression analyses found mixed results. Anxiety was most associated with racial discrimination (PR 2.55, 95% CI 1.10, 5.74), partner emotional abuse (PR 2.34, 95% CI 0.96, 5.67), and child sexual (PR 1.99, 95% CI 0.90, 4.41) and emotional abuse (PR 1.50, 95% CI 0.65, 3.45). In contrast, the strongest associations with physical health were partner emotional abuse (PR 1.62, 95% CI 0.98, 2.67) and child emotional abuse (PR 2.57, 95% CI 1.46, 4.53). CONCLUSION: Important stressors in the Black community are often studied separately. This study assessed multiple major stressors in women’s lives. The potential mechanisms that may underlie the associations found will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• Describe the impact of perceived racial discrimination and intimate partner violence on the physical and mental health of Black women
• Discuss how childhood abuse (emotional, physical, and sexual) affect this association
• Discuss the importance of looking at stressor in a woman’s life as inter-related rather than separate entities.

Keywords: Minority Health, Violence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.