Mechanism of Discrimination's Health Impact via General Adaptation Syndrome
The process by which chronic discrimination harms health can be modeled by the General Adaptation Syndrome. An initial discriminatory event triggers an acute alarm response. Repeated experiences then lead to a prolonged state of heightened physiological readiness, or resistance. This long-term activation eventually depletes the body's resources, resulting in an exhaustion stage that increases vulnerability to mental and physical health problems such as depression, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
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Mechanism of Discrimination's Health Impact via General Adaptation Syndrome
Analyzing the Health Impact of Different Stressors
A person narrowly avoids a serious car accident. They experience a rapid heart rate, sweating, and intense fear, but these feelings subside within an hour. How does this type of stressful experience fundamentally differ from the stress experienced by an individual facing ongoing societal discrimination, in a way that explains the latter's more severe long-term health consequences?