Effects of perceived racism and acculturation on hypertension in Native Hawaiians.

OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of perceived racism and acculturation on the hypertension status of Native Hawaiians. DESIGN Cross-sectional data from 94 Native Hawaiian adults were obtained which included the following: 1) socio-demographic variables and self-reported hypertension status; 2) a 5-item Hawaiian cultural identity subscale (HCSS) and a 5-item American cultural identity subscale (ACSS); and 3) perceived racism based on a 6-item modified version of the 32-item Oppression Questionnaire (OQ). RESULTS Based on logistic regression analysis, the ACSS scores and OQ scores had significant (p<.05) and independent effects on hypertension status, after considering the effects of age, sex, and education level, and HCSS scores. Of the variables examined, OQ scores had the greatest magnitude of effect on hypertension status. CONCLUSION More perceived racism and a greater identification with the American mainstream culture were both, independently, related to self-reported hypertension in Native Hawaiians. These findings have important clinical and public health implications.