Examining Race-Based and Gender-Based Discrimination, Trust in Providers, and Mental Well-Being Among Black Women

To examine experiences of discrimination among Black women, and to determine if experiencing race- and gender-based discrimination is associated with mental well-being and trust.

Data from the TRUST study were used to examine experiences of discrimination among 559 Black women with hypertension receiving healthcare at a safety-net hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. A three-level variable was constructed to combine the race-based and gender-based measures of the Experiences of Discrimination scale. Linear regression was used to examine the association between experiences of discrimination with mental well-being and trust.

Women who reported no experiences of race- or gender-based discrimination were older and reported higher mental well-being scores and greater trust. Fifty-three percent of study participants reported experiencing discrimination. Compared to participants who did not experience race- or gender-based discrimination, participants reporting experiences of race- or gender-based discrimination and those reporting experiencing both race- and gender-based discrimination were more likely to report poorer mental health.

Reported experiences of gender- and/or race-based discrimination in this study were associated with lower mental health scores and less trust in health care providers. Our findings highlight the importance of examining experiences of discrimination among Black women, and the role of discrimination as a stressor and in reducing trust for providers. Incorporating an understanding and acknowledgement of experiences of discrimination into interventions, programs, and during clinical encounters may foster more trusting relationships between providers and patients.