Blood pressure and psychological distress among North Africans in France: The role of perceived personal/group discrimination and gender.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between perceived ethnic discrimination and (physical and mental) health indicators among North African women and men living in France.

Methods: This study included 82 North Africans, aged 18-64 years. Perceived discrimination was measured at both group level (PGD) and personal level (PPD). The physical health indicator was blood pressure. The mental health indicator was self-reported psychological distress.

Results: Multiple regression analyses showed that higher levels of PGD predicted higher blood pressure. PPD was not related to blood pressure. PPD was positively related to psychological distress among women, but not among men.

Conclusion: PPD and PGD are associated with physical and mental health indicators in different ways among North African women and men in France.