scholarly journals BLACK-WHITE DIFFERENCES IN CHRONIC STRESS: DOES APPRAISAL MATTER FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S191-S192
Author(s):  
Lauren Brown ◽  
Leah Abrams ◽  
Uchechi Mitchell ◽  
Jennifer Ailshire
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Stress Exposure ◽  
Stress Appraisal ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Health Burden ◽  
Blacks And Whites ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Prior research has suggested that exposure to objectively stressful events contributes to mental health disparities in older adulthood. Yet, in order to understand the extent to which some groups bear a disproportionate stress and mental health burden, we consider black-white differences in not only stress exposure, but also stress appraisal—how upsetting the exposures are perceived to be across five domains (health, financial, residential, relationship and caregiving). Data come from 6,019 adults ages 52+ from the 2006 Health and Retirement Study. Fully adjusted models show stress exposure and appraisal significantly and independently predicted anxiety and depressive symptoms. Race and stress exposure interactions show that exposure differently predicts anxiety and depressive symptoms while race and appraisal interactions show blacks and whites report similar increases in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Findings suggest stress exposure has varying consequences for mental health of whites and blacks, while stress appraisals have similar consequences across groups.

scholarly journals Measuring More Than Exposure: Does Stress Appraisal Matter for Black–White Differences in Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren L Brown ◽  
Leah R Abrams ◽  
Uchechi A Mitchell ◽  
Jennifer A Ailshire
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Race Differences ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Stress Exposure ◽  
Mental Health Disparities ◽  
Stress Appraisal ◽  
Chronic Stressors

Abstract Background and Objectives Prior research and theory suggest that exposure to objectively stressful events contributes to mental health disparities. Yet, blacks report higher cumulative stress exposure than whites but lower levels of common psychiatric disorders. In order to understand why blacks bear disproportionate stress exposure but similar or better mental health relative to whites, we need to consider race differences in not only stress exposure, but also stress appraisal—how upsetting stress exposures are perceived to be. Research Design and Methods We examine whether race differences in the number of reported chronic stressors across 5 domains (health, financial, residential, relationship, and caregiving) and their appraised stressfulness explain black–white differences in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Data come from 6019 adults aged older than 52 from the 2006 Health and Retirement Study. Results Older blacks in this sample experience greater exposure to chronic stressors but appraise stressors as less upsetting relative to whites. In fully adjusted models, stress exposure is related to higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, and perceiving stress as upsetting is associated with higher symptomology for whites and blacks. We also find that blacks report greater anxiety symptoms but fewer depressive symptoms with more stress exposure relative to whites. Stress appraisal partially explains race differences in the association between stress exposure and anxiety symptoms and fully explains race differences in the association between exposure and depressive symptoms. Discussion and Implications The relationship between race, chronic stress exposure, and mental health is mediated by stress appraisal. Stress appraisal provides insight on important pathways contributing to black–white mental health disparities in older adulthood.

scholarly journals The Black-White Mental Health Paradox Among Older Adults: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 581-581
Author(s):  
Lauren Brown
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Middle Aged Adults ◽  
Stress And Health ◽  
Everyday Discrimination ◽  
Health Paradox ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Most studies of middle-aged adults find blacks have higher levels of psychological distress compared to whites but have lower risk of common psychiatric disorders. For instance, there is evidence of lower rates of depressive and anxiety disorders among blacks relative to whites despite large disparities in stress, discrimination and physical health in midlife—commonly referred to as the black-white mental health paradox. We examine evidence of the black-white paradox in anxiety and depressive symptoms among older adults. Data come from 6,019 adults ages 52+ from the 2006 Health and Retirement Study. Unadjusted models show older blacks report more anxiety and depressive symptoms than whites. After adjusting for socioeconomic factors, everyday discrimination, chronic conditions, and chronic stress, there are no black-white differences in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Findings suggest the black-white mental health paradox only extends into older adulthood for blacks living under similar stress and health landscapes as whites.

African American Women and Depression: Promoting the Need for Culturally Competent Treatment

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernice Kennedy ◽  
Chalice Jenkins ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
African American ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
American Woman ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
American Women

Abstract Depression is gradually increasing in African American women. These women are experiencing role changes and additional life stressors. Depressed African American women may perceive themselves as being devalued by society with fewer support systems to buffer stressful events. Depressive symptoms may develop into clinical depression and a further decrease in the quality of life for the African American woman. The assumption that all women share similar experiences does not allow for differences to emerge regarding the diagnostic process, measuring tools, and successful treatment strategies for various cultures. The authors developed a Multifaceted Model of Depression in African American Women for improving treatment of African American women with depression and future research needs. Cultural background plays a vital role in how the symptoms of mental illnesses are developed, reported, interpreted, and how women are treated. African Americans who subscribed to the Strong Black Women Archetype (SBWA) are naturally strong, resilient, self-contained, and self-sacrificing. This self-reliance prevents them from reaching out for social support. This, in turn, can contribute to depressive symptoms with negative health outcomes. The African American women are more apt to have less access to routine medical care where early diagnosis and interventions can be done, so their mental health problems (e.g., depression, stress, etc.) are often more developed, complicated, and their social supports more depleted when they do access treatment. When African American women do have access to mental health care, they receive poor quality care compared to Whites.

scholarly journals Mental health burden and unmet needs for treatment: a call for justice

2019 ◽  
Vol 216 (5) ◽  
pp. 241-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tea Dakić
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Health Economy ◽  
Conscious Capitalism ◽  
Health Burden ◽  
Research Investments

SummaryThe massive burden of mental disorders adversely affects global health, economy and human rights situations. Yet research investments are shifting from psychiatry toward other more cost-effective fields of medicine. This editorial calls for conscious capitalism and prioritisation of mental health by reflecting on mental health disparities through the prism of justice.

scholarly journals Do Depressive Symptoms Shape Blacks’ Perceptions of Stress Over Time?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
DeAnnah R Byrd ◽  
Roland J Thorpe ◽  
Keith E Whitfield
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Age Group ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background and Objectives Previous studies have linked stress to multiple negative mental health outcomes, including depression. This established stress–depression association is typically examined in one direction and cross-sectionally. This study examined the bidirectional relationships between depressive symptoms and changes in perceived stress over time in Blacks. Research Design and Methods The present study uses a community-dwelling sample of 450 Black adults, aged 51–96 years old, who participated in the Baltimore Study of Black Aging—Patterns of Cognitive Aging. Perceived stress—measured by the Perceived Stress Scale—and depressive symptoms—measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale—were both assessed at baseline and follow-up 33 months later. Ordinary least squares regression was used to examine 2 bidirectional longitudinal relationships between (1) stress–depression and (2) depression–stress, and whether these associations are modified by age. Results Initial analyses testing the typical stress–depression relationship showed an effect in the expected direction, that is stress leading to more depressive symptoms over time, adjusting for model covariates, but the effect was not statistically significant (b = 0.014, p = .642). After accounting for baseline perceived stress level, age, sex, education, and chronic health conditions, depressive symptoms were positively associated with follow-up stress (b = 0.210, p < .000). The depression–stress association further varied by age group such that the impact of baseline depression on changes in perceived stress was greatest in Blacks in their 60s versus those in their 50s (b = 0.267, p = .001), controlling for model covariates. Discussion and Implications Contrary to previous work, the results suggest that an individual’s mental health shapes his/her perception of stressful events and this relationship varies by age group. While the typical finding (stress impacting depression) was not significant, the findings reported here highlight the importance of considering the possible bidirectional nature of the relationships between psychosocial measures of stress and mental health in later life among Blacks.

scholarly journals EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS: DOES GENDER MATTER?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S931-S931
Author(s):  
Celeste Beaulieu ◽  
Jeffrey E Stokes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Everyday Activities ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Previous research has suggested that informal socializing can be beneficial for mental health, whereas prior findings concerning solitary activities and mental health have been equivocal. Activity theory posits that involvement in activities – particularly social activities – can improve adults’ self-concept and self-esteem, leading to improved well-being. Solitary activities may perform the same function, though without any social reinforcement. However, social engagement and mental health may both vary by gender. Thus, we examined associations of informal socializing and solitary activities with depressive symptoms among 13,387 respondents of the 2012/2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, and further assessed potential gender differences. Results revealed that both informal socializing and solitary activities were significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms when analyzed separately. However, when both types of activities were modeled simultaneously, only informal socializing remained significant. Further, stratified analyses revealed that informal socializing was a significant predictor of depressive symptoms among women but not men, although these coefficients were not significantly different from each other. Overall, findings suggest that both informal socializing and solitary activities may be beneficial for mental health, yet results were clearly stronger for informal socializing. Socializing may benefit mental health not only by bolstering one’s self-concept, but also by linking adults with social ties and support networks that are instrumental for well-being in mid- and later life. Moreover, gender differences in effects were minimal and largely non-significant, indicating that activity involvement can bolster mental health for men and women alike.

scholarly journals Cohort profile: The Youth and Mental Health Study (YAMHS) – a longitudinal study of the period from adolescence to adulthood

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0247036
Author(s):  
Jannike Kaasbøll ◽  
Johannes Foss Sigurdson ◽  
Norbert Skokauskas ◽  
Anne Mari Sund
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Individual Identification ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Mental Health Study

The aim of this article is to provide a detailed description of the Youth and Mental Health Study (YAMHS),a population-based, representative (cluster sampling), prospective cohort study that was conducted to investigate risk and resilience factors for mental health conditions, specifically depressive symptoms and disorders, from adolescence to adulthood. The baseline data were collected in 1998 (T1) in two counties in central Norway from 2464 adolescents (response rate 88.3%, mean age 13.7 years). The first follow-up was conducted in 1999 (T2) (n = 2432, response rate of 87.1%, mean age 14.9 years). A subgroup of individuals was assessed at T2 (n = 345) with clinical interviews, and this subgroup was reassessed in 2005 (T3) (n = 265, 70.1%, 20 years). The last follow-up (of participants assessed at T1 and T2) was conducted in 2012 (T4) (n = 1266, 51.9%, 27.2 years). Demographics, depressive symptoms, general psychopathology, suicidal ideation and attempts and psychological and somatic factors were recorded. Among adolescents of both sexes, psychosocial variables were correlated with and predicted depressive symptom severity. The strongest predictors were sex (female), the levels of depressive symptoms the preceding year, and the total number of stressful events. The association between stressful life events and depressive symptoms was moderated by physical activity, while the relationship between stressful events and coping style was mediated by depressive symptoms. The rate of use of specialised mental health services among the depressed was low. The lifetime prevalence of depressive disorders was 23% at 15 years, and the most common disorder was minor depression. Adolescents who attempted suicide were more often victims of violence and less resilient than were non-suicide attempters. The existing longitudinal data from the cohort will be further analysed. Follow-up data will be obtained from existing national registries by links created with individual identification numbers.

scholarly journals Loneliness, Stress, and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Immigrants: A Moderating Role of Familial Relationships

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 122-122
Author(s):  
Heejung Jang
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
Stress Exposure ◽  
Stress Appraisal ◽  
Familial Relationships ◽  
Older Immigrants ◽  
Stress Appraisals

Abstract Objectives Immigration is a stressful life event, and immigrants commonly experience loneliness, a risk factor for depression. However, little is known about how and whether older immigrants’ perceived stress exposure/appraisals mediate the association between loneliness and depressive symptoms. Further, this study explores whether familial relationships moderate the indirect or direct effects of the mediation models. Method: This study uses the 2012 Health and Retirement Study from a sample of 719 immigrants age 57 and older. A series of moderated mediation analyses were conducted across the total number of stress exposure and eight stress appraisal domains. Results The findings indicate that the total number of stress exposure and five domains of stress appraisals (health problems in self, physical/emotional problems in spouse/child, financial strain, housing problems, and close relationships in others) mediate the association between loneliness and depressive symptoms. In addition, the perceived negative strain from family moderated the mediating effect of health problems and housing problems in the relationship between loneliness and depressive symptoms. Discussion This study suggests that negative relationships with family may increase upsetting in stress appraisals on health and housing problems, which turn in increased depressive symptoms for lonely older immigrants. Practitioners need to assess older immigrants’ stressors and family relationships to understand their loneliness and depressive symptoms.

scholarly journals Associations between Adolescents’ Prosocial Experiences and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Alvis ◽  
Robyn Douglas ◽  
Natalie Shook ◽  
Benjamin Oosterhoff
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Native American ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
The Us ◽  
Helping Others ◽  
Interpersonal Needs ◽  
Multiple Regression Models ◽  
Relief Efforts

Natural disasters and times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, are extremely stressful events, with mental health consequences. But, such events also provide opportunities for prosocial support between citizens, which may be related to mental health symptoms and interpersonal needs. We examined adolescents’ prosocial experiences as both actors and recipients during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and assessed whether these experiences were associated with indicators of mental health. Adolescents (N = 437; 78% female) aged 13 to 20 years (Mage = 16.43, SD = 1.10; 63.6% White, 12.9% Hispanic/Latinx, 8.5% Asian, 4.2% Black, 2.8% Native American) were recruited across the US in early April of 2020. Participants reported on their COVID-19 prosocial experiences (helping others, receiving help) and mental health (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, burdensomeness, belongingness). Multiple regression models indicated greater engagement in COVID-19 prosocial behavior was associated with greater anxiety symptoms and greater burdensomeness. Receiving more COVID-19 help was associated with lower depressive symptoms and higher belongingness. Findings highlight the importance of furthering our understanding of the nuanced connections between prosocial experiences and adolescents' mental health to help inform post-pandemic recovery and relief efforts.

Optimism and depressive symptoms following a diabetes diagnosis: Results from the Health and Retirement Study

2019 ◽  
pp. 135910531988392
Author(s):  
Elisabeth B Xie ◽  
Rachel J Burns
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Diabetes Diagnosis ◽  
Retirement Study

Depression is common among individuals with diabetes and contributes to poorer prognoses. Optimism is associated with enhanced mental health. Therefore, this study tested whether optimism buffered against increases in depressive symptoms following a diabetes diagnosis. Participants were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study ( n = 328, Mage = 65.8). Optimism, assessed before diagnosis, was inversely associated with depressive symptoms within 2 ( B = −.30, p = .004, Δ R2 = .02) and 6 ( B = −.29, p = .008, Δ R2 = .02) years of a diabetes diagnosis. Results suggest that optimism is a protective factor for comorbid depressive symptoms.

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