Elsevier

Psychoneuroendocrinology

Volume 75, January 2017, Pages 1-4
Psychoneuroendocrinology

Short Communication
Cortisol profiles differ by race/ethnicity among young sexual minority men

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.10.006Get rights and content

Highlights

  • Race/Ethnicity is related to stress physiology in sexual minority men.

  • Compared to White sexual minority men, Black sexual minority men have elevated evening cortisol levels.

  • Compared to White sexual minority males, Black sexual minority males have a flatter diurnal cortisol curve.

Abstract

Much of the extant scientific research examining hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis functioning is conducted among White heterosexuals. Very little research examines HPA-axis functioning between different minority groups. Individuals who identify as both sexual and racial minorities may experience increased stigma and discrimination that can affect HPA-axis functioning. In the current study, we examined diurnal cortisol rhythm in young White gay men (WGM) compared to young Black gay men (BGM). The sample consisted of 70 healthy gay men (mean [SD] age = 22.9 [3.2]: 68% White and 38% Black) who collected four saliva samples daily for five days. Repeated measures analysis of covariance and post-hoc tests revealed that BGM had higher cortisol levels than WGM in the evening. Secondary analyses revealed no significant group differences for the cortisol awakening response or systemic output throughout the day. However, BGM compared to WGM had a lower drop from peak (morning) to lowest (evening) cortisol concentrations. Taken together, these findings reveal a flatter diurnal cortisol rhythm among BGM compared to WGB. The functional significance of these preliminary findings must be explored further with assessment of psychosocial factors among sexual minorities at the intersection of multiple identities. In summary, we expand health disparities research aimed at delineating sexual minority and race/ethnic variation in stress physiology.

Introduction

The majority of diurnal cortisol studies have been conducted among White heterosexuals. Yet for vulnerable minorities, social factors like race/ethnicity-related discrimination (Adam et al., 2015, Huynh et al., 2016) as well as socioeconomic disadvantage (Chen et al., 2010) are associated with dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis functioning. Likewise, sexual minorities are more likely to experience discrimination based on their sexual orientation compared to heterosexual individuals (Fredriksen-Goldsen et al., 2013). Recent research shows that sexual orientation-related stress and stigma can modulate HPA-axis reactivity among sexual minority individuals compared to heterosexual individuals (Hatzenbuehler and McLaughlin, 2014, Juster et al., 2015). Theories of sexual minority stress (Cook and Calebs, 2016, Meyer, 2003) suggest that there are stressors related to social stigma and discrimination that generate excess stress. Stressors related to social stigma and discrimination can increase risk for physical and mental health problems among sexual minority individuals (Institute of Medicine, 2011).

Based on extant theoretical and empirical work, we hypothesize that men who are both Black and identify as sexual minorities are at greater risk for dysregulated HPA-axis functioning than men who do not have intersecting marginalized identities. The current study therefore examines sexual and racial/ethnic minority stress by assessing diurnal cortisol rhythm in young White gay men (WGM) compared to young Black gay men (BGM).

Section snippets

Participants

The final sample consisted of 68 young gay and bisexual men (two participants were not included in the current analysis because they only completed the baseline assessment) recruited from the Midwest region of the United States. Participant ages ranged from 18 to 29 years (M = 22.9, SD = 3.3). Further, 61.8% of the sample identified as White while 38.2% identified as Black/African-American. With regard to highest level of education achieved, most reported having at least some college experience:

Results

Main analyses assessed race/ethnicity differences using ANCOVAs while controlling for mean awakening time (M = 9.06, SE = 0.09). A significant time X group interaction effect was detected (F(2.47,140.7) = 5.18, p = 0.004, η2P = 0.083). Post-hoc analyses revealed that BGM had higher cortisol levels than WGM in the evening (p = 0.015, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.27; Fig. 1A).

Secondary one-way ANCOVAs revealed no significant group differences for the CAR (p > 0.87) or AUCg across the day (p = 0.336). By contrast, the Min-Max

Discussion

The objective of the current study was to examine differences in diurnal cortisol rhythm between young White gay men (WGM) and young Black gay men (BGM). Understanding the processes by which stressful social factors “get under the skin” of individuals at the intersection of marginalized identities continues to be limited in psychoneuroendocrine research. As hypothesized, we found differences in HPA-axis functioning by race/ethnicity. Specifically, higher evening cortisol levels were shown among

Conflict of interest

The authors unanimously declare no conflicts of interest.

Role of funding source

This work was supported by funding from the University of Michigan (PI: Stephanie H. Cook).

Contributors

S. Cook conceived the study, constructed the study design, and drafted the manuscript and all co-authors approved the final version of the manuscript for submission. R. P. Juster, J. C. analyzed and interpreted the data. B. Calebs, J. Heinze, contributed to the study design and data collection. A. Miller contributed significantly to the writing of the manuscript.

Acknowledgements

We thank our participants for their commitment to this demanding study. We would also like to thank Teera Parr for performing our biochemical assays.

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