How Do U.S. State Institutions Shape Socioeconomic Differences in Discrimination and Shame?

• In Event: Medical Sociology Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 14. Social Resources and Health

Abstract

Against a backdrop of federal political gridlock, many scholars are characterizing state-level variation in health disparities. However, it remains unclear whether interpersonal and emotional experiences of socioeconomic status are affected. In this study, we focus on whether U.S. state institutions are linked to varying experiences of discrimination and shame linked to socioeconomic status. We place a particular emphasis on differences in experiences between lower- and higher-SES individuals. In preliminary findings, we observe more frequent experiences of shame and perceived discrimination in states with less robust democratic institutions and weaker total safety nets. Additional results suggest that this institutional policy variation is especially consequential for lower-SES individuals. Thus, we propose that different relational experiences of SES across U.S. states could be drivers of proximal behavioral risk health risks, in addition to the typical economic and social challenges inherent to lower socioeconomic status.

Authors

• Matthew Andersson, Baylor University

• Bruce G Link, University of California-Riverside