Social stressors and inflammatory gene expression in U.S. Chinese immigrants

Immigrants comprise approximately 14% of the U.S. population and experience increasing rates of chronic disease after migration that are not wholly attributable to behavioral acculturation. The present study examined whether social stressors commonly experienced by immigrants (e.g., acculturative stress, discrimination) are associated with proinflammatory gene expression in a sample of Chinese immigrants residing in the United States.

Participants (n = 216) in an observational study completed assessments of acculturative stress, perceived discrimination, and social isolation. Participant weight and height were measured during an in-person exam, and fasting blood samples were collected and assayed for inflammatory gene expression.

Greater perceived discrimination was significantly associated with higher levels of inflammatory gene expression controlling for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, and other demographic variables. Neither acculturative stress nor social isolation was associated with inflammatory gene expression profiles.

This is one of the first studies to examine social stressors in relation to biologic pathways that may underlie the increase in chronic disease risk observed among foreign-born populations. These findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of how social experiences may impact immigrant health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).