scholarly journals Impact of Caregiving During Emerging Adulthood on Frequent Mental Distress, Smoking, and Drinking Behaviors: United States, 2015–2017

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (12) ◽  
pp. 1853-1860
Author(s):  
Deborah L. Grenard ◽  
Esteban J. Valencia ◽  
Jennifer A. Brown ◽  
Rachel L. Winer ◽  
Alyson J. Littman
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Current Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Frequent Mental Distress ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
Current Cigarette ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
Robust Poisson Regression

Objectives. To examine associations between caregiving mental or behavioral health outcomes among emerging US adults, defined as persons aged 18 to 25 years. Methods. The study sample included emerging adult respondents to the 2015–2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System’s caregiving module. Exposures were caregiver (n = 3087), expectant caregiver (n = 2303), and noncaregiver (n = 12 216) status. Expectant caregivers were defined as persons not currently providing care but anticipating doing so within the next 2 years. Outcomes included frequent mental distress (FMD), drinking (binge or heavy), and current smoking (cigarette or e-cigarette use). We used robust Poisson regression to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We adjusted all models for income. Results. Caregivers had a similar prevalence of FMD when compared with both expectant caregivers (APR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.28, 2.17) and noncaregivers (APR = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.23, 1.82). Caregivers had a higher prevalence of current cigarette smoking compared with noncaregivers (APR = 1.44; 95% CI = 1.21, 1.71). Conclusions. Among emerging adults, providing care is associated with poorer mental health. Point estimates looking at FMD were higher when we compared caregivers with expectant caregivers, suggesting a difference in exchangeability between comparison groups. Public Health Implications. This study highlights the importance of including emerging adults in caregiving research.

Prevalence of Frequent Mental Distress Among Illinois Adults With Chronic Conditions: Estimates From the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2011 to 2017

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 608-613
Author(s):  
Janae D. Price ◽  
Nancy L. Amerson ◽  
Kamil E. Barbour ◽  
Damilola V. Emuze
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factor ◽  
Frequent Mental Distress ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
Risk Factor Surveillance

Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine frequent mental distress (FMD) by demographics, chronic conditions, and health risk factors among Illinois adults. Design: Descriptive analyses included χ2 and pairwise t tests to examine how FMD status differed by selected characteristics and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to examine the association between FMD and chronic conditions and risk factors. Setting: Illinois Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2011 to 2017 (n = 37 312). Participants: Adults who self-report FMD (n = 3455) were included. Measures: Prevalence of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis, asthma, high blood cholesterol, cancer, kidney disease, stroke, diabetes, weight status, physical activity status, smoking status, and drinking status. Results: A significantly higher FMD prevalence was found among females (11.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.1-12.4), non-Hispanic blacks (13.4, 95% CI: 11.9-15.0), adults with less than a high school degree (14.4%; 95% CI: 12.6-16.3), adults with an annual income of less than $15 000 (21.4%; 95% CI: 19.4-23.5), and adults with a disability (23.3%, 95% CI: 21.9-24.7). Adjusted prevalence of FMD was significantly higher among adults for 8 of 10 chronic conditions and 4 of 5 health risk factors studied. Conclusions: Social stigmas related to depression and anxiety may lead to the underreporting of FMD. Chronic disease management programs in Illinois should consider integrating mental health services.

scholarly journals Differences in Mental, Cognitive, and Functional Health by Sexual Orientation Among Older Women: Analysis of the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 749-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristie L Seelman
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Women Of Color ◽  
Minority Women ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Sexual Minority Women ◽  
Frequent Mental Distress ◽  
Heterosexual Women ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
Risk Factor Surveillance

Abstract Background and Objectives This study addresses a gap in the knowledge base regarding whether there are differences in mental, cognitive, and functional health between sexual minority women aged 65 and older and their heterosexual counterparts, as well as whether disparities are moderated by age, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity. Research Design and Methods This study analyzes 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 21 states. Multivariate logistic regression is used to test the hypotheses. Results Compared to heterosexual women, lesbian/gay women aged 65 and older report worse functional health and bisexual women report worse cognitive health and more difficulties with instrumental activities of daily living. Disparities are particularly present for women in their late 60s and those in their 70s. While the likelihood of a depression diagnosis tends to be lower for heterosexual women with higher income, the inverse is true of sexual minority women. Additionally, sexual minority women with less education have lower odds of frequent mental distress and activity limitations than those with some college education. Sexual minority women of color have significantly lower odds of frequent mental distress, activity limitations, and use of special equipment compared to white sexual minority women. Discussion and Implications Findings indicate a need for gerontological services that provide support to older sexual minority women, particularly in relation to cognitive and functional health. Future research is needed to understand risk and protective factors contributing to these disparities, including forms of resilience that occur among older sexual minority women of color.

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