Effects of perceived racial discrimination on health status and health behavior: A differential mediation hypothesis.

Research has documented a strong link between perceived racial discrimination and various health outcomes among African Americans. These outcomes include health status and health-relevant behavior. This chapter focuses on the relation between the stress associated with perceived racial discrimination and health-risk behavior, primarily substance use and abuse. The chapter examines a variety of factors thought to mediate this relation, the two primary ones being negative affect and self-control. Research has shown that discrimination has an impact on both factors, and these in turn directly affect substance use. The chapter also examines several factors that have been shown to moderate the discrimination–health relationship. In addition, the chapter reviews research examining moderators that can be either risk-promoting or protective. Some research identifying individuals who appear to respond in a favorable or healthy manner to perceived discrimination is also reviewed. The chapter concludes with recommendations for future research.

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COVID-19 and Asian American college students: Discrimination, fear, and mental health

Journal of Emergency Management ◽

10.5055/jem.0598 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (9) ◽

pp. 121-131

Author(s):

Angela Chia-Chen Chen, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC ◽

SeungYong Han, PhD ◽

Wei Li, PhD ◽

Karen J. Leong, PhD ◽

Lihong Ou, MSN, RN

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Status ◽

Relative Risk ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Racial Discrimination ◽

Asian American ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Perceived Racial Discrimination

Introduction: Our research addressed double victimization among Asian Americans by COVID-19 and anti-Asian racial discrimination during the pandemic. Guided by the Vulnerable Populations framework that argues that health status reflects the dynamic interplay between resource availability and relative risk, we investigated time-sensitive questions that explored relative risk (perceived racial discrimination, fear of COVID-19), resources (COVID-19 prevention knowledge, resilience), and mental health status (post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression) in Asian American undergraduate and graduate students during the pandemic.Methods: A mixed-methods research was conducted to examine the relationships among the relative risk, resources, and mental health outcomes in this population. We adapted questions from valid and reliable measures to assess key variables. Descriptive and regression analyses along with content analysis were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data.Results: Our sample included 74 Asian American students (AA students) who participated in the online survey (53 complete cases were included in the statistical analysis) and an additional 10 AA students who were interviewed via Zoom. The results of hierarchical regression models confirmed a positive association between fear of COVID-19 and both mental health outcomes (PTSD and depression), and a negative association between COVID-19 prevention knowledge and mental health outcomes. Perceived racial discrimination was significantly and positively associated with PTSD and depression while controlling for sociodemographic variables. However, its association with outcomes diminished when fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 prevention knowledge were added to the models. Our interview results supported the survey findings with more nuanced details not revealed in the survey.Conclusion: The findings of this research will help public health officials and universities identify practices useful for promoting culturally congruent safety and protection in response to pandemics and other health emergencies.

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The Effect of Family Style on Health Behavior, Subjective Health Status and Depression- A Comparative Study of more than One Household and Two Households

International Journal of IT-based Public Health Management ◽

10.21742/ijiphm.2018.5.2.02 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 7-12

Author(s):

Choi SeongHui ◽

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Health Behavior ◽

Comparative Study ◽

Subjective Health ◽

Subjective Health Status ◽

Family Style

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Health literacy, health status and health behaviors of German students– study protocol for the “Healthy Habits” cohort study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11542-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Martin Lange ◽

Alexandra Löwe ◽

Gerrit Stassen ◽

Andrea Schaller

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Health Status ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Health Behavior ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

The State ◽

The Impact ◽

Study Format

Abstract Background The emerging adulthood is traditionally viewed as a time of optimal health, but also as a critical life span, characterized by changing life circumstances and the establishment of an individual lifestyle. Especially university life seems to hold several challenges impeding the manifestation of a health supporting manner, as many students tend to show a poorer health behavior and a higher amount of health-related problems than comparable age groups. This, along with a steady growth of the higher education sector, brings increased attention to the university setting in the context of prevention. To date, there are few empirical longitudinal and coherent cross-sectional data on the status of students’ health literacy, health status, and health behaviors, and on the impact of the study format on students’ health. The aim of this prospective cohort study is to reduce this research gap. Methods Starting during winter semester 2020/21, the prospective cohort study collects data on health literacy, health status and health behavior on a semester-by-semester basis. All enrolled students of the IST University of Applied Sciences, regardless of study format and discipline, can participate in the study at the beginning of their first semester. The data are collected digitally via a specifically programmed app. A total of 103 items assess the subjectively perceived health status, life and study satisfaction, sleep quality, perceived stress, physical activity, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, drug addiction and health literacy. Statistical analysis uses (1) multivariate methods to look at changes within the three health dimensions over time and (2) the association between the three health dimensions using multiple regression methods and correlations. Discussion This cohort study collects comprehensive health data from students on the course of study. It is assumed that gathered data will provide information on how the state of health develops over the study period. Also, different degrees of correlations of health behavior and health literacy will reveal different impacts on the state of students’ health. Furthermore, this study will contribute to empirically justified development of target group-specific interventions. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00023397 (registered on October 26, 2020).

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