Association of depressive symptoms and social support on blood pressure among urban African American women and girls

Associations of urban poverty-related stress with smoking and drinking to cope and the moderating role of kin social support were assessed in African American women. Findings revealed that among a sample of 101 poor African American women residing in economically and socially disadvantaged neighborhoods, depressive symptoms and relationship stress were significantly associated with smoking. Similarly, perceptions of neighborhood crime were marginally associated with alcohol use. Kinship support was hypothesized to buffer women from the deleterious impacts of stress. The results revealed that kin social support moderated the association of poverty-related stress with smoking and drinking. For women with higher levels of kin support, the positive association of neighborhood crime and drinking was less apparent compared with women with low support. Also, the links between relationship stress, depressive symptoms, and smoking were less apparent for women with higher kin support compared with those with lower support. Findings are discussed in terms of the need for additional research on the social networks available to economically disadvantaged African American families and the manner in which networks operate.

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The influence of negative affectivity on depressive symptoms, perceived social support and marital satisfaction among African American women

10.31274/etd-180810-444 ◽

2009 ◽

Author(s):

Ashley Nicole Rink

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

African American ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Marital Satisfaction ◽

African American Women ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Negative Affectivity ◽

American Women

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Association of Psychosocial Symptoms, Blood Pressure, and Menopausal Status in African-American Women

Western Journal of Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/0193945919898477 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 (10) ◽

pp. 784-794

Author(s):

Carolyn H. Still ◽

Sadia Tahir ◽

Hossein N. Yarandi ◽

Mona Hassan ◽

Faye A. Gary

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

African American ◽

African American Women ◽

Menopausal Status ◽

Future Research ◽

Perceived Health Status ◽

American Women ◽

Menopausal Women ◽

Analyze Data

African-American women have disproportionate rates of hypertension that can be further complicated as they transition through menopause. Stress, coupled with depression and hypertension in perimenopausal African-American women has not been fully explored. This study examines the associations of stress, depression, and social support on systolic blood pressure (SBP) among a sample of 184 perimenopausal African-American women. We used descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and logistic regression to analyze data stratified by menopausal status (perimenopausal or menopausal) and SBP status (<130 mmHg vs. >130 mmHg). Women classified as menopausal reported higher levels of stress and depressive symptoms, and lower levels of social support. Age, body mass index (BMI), health insurance, and perceived health status were significant predictors of SBP in menopausal women. Stress, depression, and social support did not play a role in SBP. It is necessary that future research focus on reducing cardiovascular risk include addressing menopausal health.

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