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).