Anxiety sensitivity and subjective social status in relation to anxiety and depressive symptoms and disorders among Latinos in primary care

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the explanatory role of negative affect in the relation between subjective social status and anxiety/depressive disorders, suicidality symptoms, and disruption in life domains (i.e. disability; work/school, social life, and family life/home responsibilities) among Latinos seeking health services at a primary healthcare facility. Design/methodology/approach An experiment was designed using participants including 205 adult Latinos (Mage=39.2; SD=11.4) with annual incomes of less than $30,000. The sample was mostly female (85.9 percent) with a majority (98.5 percent) indicating Spanish as their first language. Findings Results indicated that subjective social status was indirectly related to the mental health variables through negative affect. Notably, these observed effects were evident above and beyond the variance accounted for by gender, age, marital status, educational status, employment status, and number of years in the USA. Research limitations/implications The present findings suggest that there is merit in focusing further scientific attention on the interplay between subjective social status and negative affect to better understand and possibly intervene to reduce anxiety/depressive vulnerability and disability among Latinos in primary care settings. Originality/value The current study sheds light on the relationship between social status and negative affect in the Latino population. Elucidating mental health in a minority population such as the Latino population provides insight into the mental health needs among minorities that have yet to be addressed.

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Synergistic effects of pain intensity and anxiety sensitivity in relation to anxiety and depressive symptoms and disorders among economically disadvantaged latinos in a community-based primary care setting

Journal of Anxiety Disorders ◽

10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.07.007 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 43 ◽

pp. 23-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Ricardo Valdés Velasco ◽

Jafar Bakhshaie ◽

Rheeda L. Walker ◽

Andres G. Viana ◽

Monica Garza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Anxiety Sensitivity ◽

Economically Disadvantaged ◽

Care Setting ◽

Primary Care Setting ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Community Based

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Sleep and the Social Matrix: Determinants of Health Status Beyond Objective Social Status

Psychology Community & Health ◽

10.5964/pch.v4i1.107 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 39-52

Author(s):

Stacy A. Ogbeide ◽

Christopher A. Neumann

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Health Status ◽

Social Status ◽

Sleep Duration ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Low Income ◽

Daytime Sleepiness ◽

Subjective Social Status ◽

Primary Care Patients

AimThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between subjective social status (SSS) and objective socioeconomic status (SES) on sleep status (sleep duration and daytime sleepiness).MethodThe study sample included 73 primary care patients from a free medical clinic in which low-income individuals are primarily treated. Subjective social status was measured using the MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status which uses a pictorial format (social ladder) in order to assess current social status. Socioeconomic status was measured by assessing highest level of education and current income level.ResultsCommunity SSS did not significantly predict sleep duration or daytime sleepiness. Additional regression analyses were conducted and it was found that an overall model of U.S. SSS and community SSS significantly predicted perceived stress. Community SSS was found to be significantly associated with perceived stress. Regression results also indicated that an overall model of U.S. SSS and community SSS significantly predicted perceived health status.ConclusionIt may be beneficial for clinicians working with low-income primary care populations to include measures of SSS in addition to the traditional measures of SES for multidimensional patient care.

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