Beliefs about race differences in pain vs. actual race differences in pain: An experimental investigation.

Authors

Lauren E. Mehok, Indiana University - Purdue University IndianapolisFollow
Samantha M. Meints, Brigham and Women's HospitalFollow
Megan M. Miller, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH; Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OHFollow
Leslie Ashburn-Nardo, Indiana University - Purdue University IndianapolisFollow
ADAM Hirsh, Indiana University - Purdue University IndianapolisFollow

Keywords

pain, race, beliefs, cold pressor, disparities

Disciplines

Clinical Psychology

Abstract

Objective: Race differences in pain are consistently reported, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This study examined how beliefs about race differences in pain are related to actual differences in experimentally induced pain between Black and White individuals.

Methods: Black and White participants completed questionnaires (demographics, pain-related beliefs, pain coping, and mood) and a cold pressor task (CPT) in the laboratory. Beliefs about race differences in pain were tested as potential moderators of the relationship between race and pain tolerance on a CPT.

Results: Participants reported beliefs that White people are more pain sensitive (i.e., less pain tolerant) than Black people (t(131)=-6.83, p<.01). White participants had a higher pain tolerance on the CPT than Black participants (U=1165.50, p(b=-0.37, p=.71). Follow-up analyses indicated that self-comparisons of participants’ own pain sensitivity to that of their same-race group significantly moderated the relationship between race and pain tolerance (⍵=4.40, p=.04).

Conclusion: These results suggest that beliefs about race differences in pain do not contribute to actual race differences in pain. Rather, how individuals compare themselves to their same-race peers may be more relevant in this context.

Recommended Citation

Mehok, Lauren E.; Meints, Samantha M.; Miller, Megan M.; Ashburn-Nardo, Leslie; and Hirsh, ADAM (2023) "Beliefs about race differences in pain vs. actual race differences in pain: An experimental investigation.," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 16: Iss. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol16/iss1/1