Psychophysiological Responses to Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric: A Mixed-Effects Experimental Study among University Students

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Presenter(s)

Annemarie Dupuy, William Navarrete Moreno, Dien Thinh Nguyen

Abstract or Description

The increasing prevalence of anti-immigrant rhetoric in media, policy, and everyday life has raised concerns about its potential impacts on psychological and physiological responses. This study examines the relationship between exposure to anti-immigrant rhetoric and psychological stress, as well as cardiovascular responses (heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure), considering participants' “social distance” to immigrants using a within subjects design. A total of 59 participants were recruited from a university's psychology department, and a digital sphygmomanometer was used to monitor their physiology during exposure to anti-immigrant and neutral museum rhetoric. Results showed significantly higher psychological stress after exposure to anti-immigrant rhetoric (M = 4.31) compared to neutral museum rhetoric (M = 3.39), t(58) = -4.80, p < 0.001. No significant differences were found in heart rate or diastolic blood pressure between rhetoric types. Systolic blood pressure was significantly higher after exposure to anti-immigrant rhetoric (M = 102.83) compared to neutral museum rhetoric (M = 101.46), t(58) = 2.35, p = 0.022. Further analysis revealed a significant main effect of stimulus on psychological stress (B = -0.9, SE = 0.20, p < 0.001) but not on heart rate or systolic blood pressure. For diastolic blood pressure, a significant main effect of stimulus (β = -1.828, p = 0.038) and a significant interaction between social relationship group and stimulus (β = 3.391, p = 0.012) were found. The results indicate a significant difference in diastolic blood pressure between immediate family member and extended family member groups, with the extended relationship group having a higher response when the anti-immigrant rhetoric stimulus is present (p = 0.025). This study highlights the importance of monitoring media and policy impacts on public health, especially for individuals with ties to immigrants.