Summary: Stigma and stress can affect HPA axis functioning, a new study reports.
Source: NYU.
Increased stigma and discrimination can affect circadian HPA-axis functioning; the biological signature maybe detrimental to health and well-being
Cortisol is a life sustaining adrenal hormone essential to maintaining the natural balance of the body. It is often referred to as “the stress hormone,” as cortisol influences, regulates, and modulates many of the changes that occur in the body in response to stress.
Diurnal cortisol studies measure the level of cortisol in the body at various times during the day to examine possible adrenal imbalances. The majority of these diurnal cortisol studies have been conducted among white heterosexuals, with very little research examining HPA-axis functioning between different minorities. However, individuals who identify as both sexual and racial minorities may experience increased stigma and discrimination that can affect this HPA-axis functioning.
To address this need for more expansive research, investigators at the College of Global Public Health (CGPH) Center for Health Identity Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), led by Stephanie H. Cook, DrPH, conducted a study, “Cortisol profiles differ by race/ethnicity among young sexual minority men” published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology, examining differences in diurnal cortisol rhythm between young, self-identified, white gay men (WGM) and black gay men (BGM).
In the study of healthy men (n=68) with a mean age of twenty-three, Dr. Cook and colleagues utilized a daily diary research design which consisted of researchers collecting four saliva samples daily for five days to measure their cortisol levels at different times of day throughout the week.
“Sexual minorities are more likely to experience discrimination based on their sexual orientation compared to heterosexual individuals,” said Dr. Cook. “Recent research shows that sexual orientation-related stress and stigma can modulate HPA-axis reactivity among sexual minority individuals compared to heterosexual individuals.”
The research data showed a flattened diurnal cortisol curve between BGM to WGM, with statistically significant differences found in bedtime levels of cortisol. In the current study, the observed flattened diurnal pattern observed among BGM combined with their elevated evening levels suggests less daily variation in cortisol that may be indicative of an unhealthy stress response among BGM.
While beyond the scope of the current analysis, these findings suggest that social factors associated with being a ‘double minority’ may differentially calibrate circadian HPA-axis functioning in BGM compared to WGM.
“We must conduct additional studies to confirm these study findings because in the current study we cannot make definitive conclusions about our ‘double minority’ hypothesis because we did not have a majority Black referent group,” cautions Dr. Cook. “However, with this being said, we believe this research study presents a first step in understanding differences in the HAP axis functioning among racial/ethnic and sexual minority men.”
The current study expands on previous research indicating that those individuals at the intersection of multiple stigmatized identities may indeed experience distinct diurnal cortisol profiles which should be explored further.
“The results of the present study expand health disparities research that has often focused solely on race/ethnic differences by using approaches that assess intersecting identities, which is the cornerstone of the work we undertake at CHIBPS,” said Dr. Cook. “This study highlights these disparities and calls for further research on these topics.”
Acknowledgments: We thank our participants for their commitment to this demanding study. We would also like to thank Teera Parr for performing our biochemical assays. The work of the study was performed while Dr. Cook was at the University of Michigan. She would like to thank her former colleagues at the Department of Psychology and the Department of Health Behavior Health Education for their support.
Source: Christopher James – NYU
Image Source: NeuroscienceNews.com image is adapted from the NYU press release.
Original Research: Abstract for “Cortisol profiles differ by race/ethnicity among young sexual minority men” by Stephanie H. Cook, Robert-Paul Juster, Benjamin J. Calebs, Justin Heinze, and lison L. Miller in Psychoneuroendocrinology. Published online October 13 2016 doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.10.006
[cbtabs][cbtab title=”MLA”]NYU “Researchers Identify Stress Hormone Differences Among Gay Men.” NeuroscienceNews. NeuroscienceNews, 5 December 2016.
<https://neurosciencenews.com/hpa-axis-stress-cortisol-5688/>.[/cbtab][cbtab title=”APA”]NYU (2016, December 5). Researchers Identify Stress Hormone Differences Among Gay Men. NeuroscienceNew. Retrieved December 5, 2016 from https://neurosciencenews.com/hpa-axis-stress-cortisol-5688/[/cbtab][cbtab title=”Chicago”]NYU “Researchers Identify Stress Hormone Differences Among Gay Men.” https://neurosciencenews.com/hpa-axis-stress-cortisol-5688/ (accessed December 5, 2016).[/cbtab][/cbtabs]
Abstract
Cortisol profiles differ by race/ethnicity among young sexual minority men
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.
“Cortisol profiles differ by race/ethnicity among young sexual minority men” by Stephanie H. Cook, Robert-Paul Juster, Benjamin J. Calebs, Justin Heinze, and lison L. Miller in Psychoneuroendocrinology. Published online October 13 2016 doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.10.006
