scholarly journals Association of Active Coping to Unfair Treatment with Perceived Stress and Depressive Symptoms in African Americans: MH-GRID Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayomide Ojebuoboh ◽  
Amparo Gonzalez-Feliciano ◽  
Kristen Brown ◽  
Rumana Khan ◽  
Ruihua Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Minority Health ◽  
Predictor Variable ◽  
The United States ◽  
Coping Mechanism ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
African American Adults ◽  
Unfair Treatment

Abstract Background: Unfair treatment such as discrimination and racism contribute to depression and perceived stress in African Americans. Although studies have examined how responding to such treatment is associated with ameliorating depressive symptoms and levels of perceived stress, most do not focus on African Americans. The purpose of this study is to assess how talking to others in response to unfair treatment is associated with self-reported depressive symptoms and perceived stress levels in African Americans.Methods: A sample from the 2010-2013 Minority Health Genomics and Translational Research Bio-Repository Database was used and consisted of 376 African American adults aged 30-55 years old residing in the southern region of the United States. Linear regression models were used to assess the association between talking to others following unfair treatment, compared to keeping it to oneself, on self-reported depressive symptoms and perceived stress. The predictor variable was based on the question “If you have been treated unfairly, do you usually talk to people about it or keep it to yourself?” Results: Talking to someone after being treated unfairly was inversely associated with perceived stress (B: -3.62, SE: 1.14, p ≤ 0.05) and depressive symptoms (a: -3.62, SE: 1.14, p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: African Americans who talked to others in response to unfair treatment had lower depressive symptoms and perceived stress than those who kept it to themselves. More outreach to African Americans regarding the importance of talk in response to exposure to unfair treatment is needed as a potential coping mechanism.

Abstract P014: Associations of Depression, and Perceived Stress With Telomere Length in African Americans: The Minority Health Genomics and Translational Research Bio-Repository Database Study

Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rumana J Khan
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Translational Research ◽  
Telomere Length ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Minority Health ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Sociodemographic Variable ◽  
Psychosomatic Symptoms ◽  
Database Study

Background: African Americans (AA) experience higher levels of psychological distress. Adverse psychological conditions and mental stress could be associated with accelerated cellular aging, evidenced by shortened leukocyte telomere length (TL), which could underlie this association. Hypothesis: In this study, we hypothesized that depressive symptoms and higher stress level would be associated with shorter telomere length in AA. We also hypothesized that the associations would be attenuated after adjusting for individual-level sociodemographic variable, various disease conditions, and lifestyle factors. Methods: The analysis included 225 women and 142 men aged 30-55 years from the Minority Health Genomics and Translational Research Bio-Repository Database Study. Relative TL (T/S ratio) was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and 14-item Perceived Stress Scale were used to assess the presence of depressive symptoms and perceived stress respectively. Summation of the scores and the Principal Component Analysis were performed for both the scales. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate mean differences in log T/S associated with depressive symptoms and perceived stress after adjusting for sociodemographic variable, various disease conditions, and lifestyle factors. Results: No evidence of association between stress and TL was observed. We found effect modification by hypertension affecting the association between depressive symptoms and log T/S. Depressive symptom, especially higher psychosomatic symptoms, was associated with increased TL in normotensive participants (β= 0.11 for mid-level psychosomatic symptoms and β= 0.12 for high-level psychosomatic symptoms; p value <0.05 for both). No association was observed in hypertensive participants. Conclusions: We found a positive association between psychosomatic depressive symptoms and TL, which do not support the hypothesis that depression is associated with shorter TL and aging in AA. Longitudinal studies with larger samples are needed to better understand and confirm this relationship.

Examining Racial Discrimination’s Association With Depressive Symptoms Through Metadehumanization Among African Americans: Does Racial Identity Matter?

2020 ◽  
pp. 009579842098366
Author(s):  
Yara Mekawi ◽  
Natalie N. Watson-Singleton
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Racial Identity ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Racial Discrimination ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
The United States ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Social Cognitive Theories

Though considerable empirical work has documented the ways in which African Americans are dehumanized by other racial groups, there is no research examining how perceiving dehumanization (i.e., metadehumanization) is associated with the mental health of African Americans. In this study, we examined the indirect effect of racial discrimination on depressive symptoms through metadehumanization and explored whether this indirect effect was contingent on racial identity (i.e., centrality, private regard). African American students completed measures in a university lab located in the Midwestern region of the United States ( N = 326; Mage = 19.7, 72.4% women). We found that the degree to which racial discrimination was indirectly associated with depressive symptoms through metadehumanization was contingent on racial identity dimensions. Specifically, the indirect effect of racial discrimination on depressive symptoms through metadehumanization was only significant for individuals who were relatively higher on centrality and private regard. This research suggests that the role of metadehumanization is stronger among African Americans who strongly identify with and have positive views of their racial group. We discuss these results in the context of social cognitive theories.

“They Eat What They Eat, I Eat What I Eat”: Examining the Perspectives and Experiences of African Americans Who Adopt Plant-Based Diets

2020 ◽  
pp. 155982762090885
Author(s):  
Marian Botchway ◽  
Gabrielle M. Turner-McGrievy ◽  
Anthony Crimarco ◽  
Mary J. Wilson ◽  
Marty Davey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vegan Diet ◽  
African American Adults ◽  
Negative Comments ◽  
And Coping

Adopting a plant-rich or plant-based diet is one of the major recommendations for addressing obesity, overweight, and related health conditions in the United States. Currently, research on African Americans’ food choices in the context of plant-based diets is limited. The primary aim of this study was to understand food-related experiences and perceptions of African Americans who were participating in the Nutritious Eating with Soul (NEW Soul) study, a culturally tailored dietary intervention focused on increasing the consumption of plant-based foods. The roles of gender and ethnicity were also examined to identify how eating patterns were chosen or maintained. Twenty-one African American adults in South Carolina, who were randomly assigned to either a vegan diet (n = 11) or a low-fat omnivorous diet (n = 10) in the NEW Soul study, completed one-on-one, qualitative interviews. Emerging themes included awareness, being in control, and identity. The study revealed that access to social support and coping strategies for addressing negative comments about plant-based food choices may be important components to include in future nutrition interventions focused on African Americans.

The High Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Its Correlates With Older Hmong Refugees in the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 660-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mai S. Yang ◽  
Jan E. Mutchler
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Hopkins Symptom Checklist ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Reported Health

Objective: We estimate depressive symptoms in a sample of older Hmong refugees in the United States, and investigate factors shaping risk of depression in this population. Method: Data were collected in California and Minnesota ( N = 127). The study sample included Hmong immigrants aged 55 and over. The measure of depression used is the Hopkins Symptom Checklist–10 (HSCL-10) inventory. Linear regression models were used to identify significant correlates of depressive symptoms. Results: More than 72% of the participants indicated being symptomatic of depression, as reflected by having a HSCL-10 score of 1.85 or higher. Self-reported health was a risk factor for depression. Protective factors from depression were larger household size and older age of arrival into the United States. Discussion: This study updated knowledge about the mental health status of Hmong refugees, who are now at later life. Our findings suggest that depression may be a lifelong experience in this high risk population.

scholarly journals Minority Health and Health Disparities in the 21st Century: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-03
Author(s):  
Mandal P ◽  
Devontenno K. ◽  
Gary J. ◽  
Grandville N. ◽  
Hale D. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Health Inequality ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Minority Health ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Infant Mortality Rate ◽  
Unfair Treatment ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Complex Relationships

Powerful, complex relationships exist between health and biology, genetics, and individual behavior, and between health and health services, socioeconomic status, the physical environment, discrimination, racism, literacy levels, and legislative policies. These factors, which influence an individual’s or population’s health, are known as determinants of health. Today, health disparity is taking an in depth look at the differences in health status between different social groups, gender, race, ethnicity, education, income, disability, and sexual orientation. While on the other hand, health inequality is looking at the unjust and unfair treatment one gets because of their socioeconomic status and demographic area. Such a wide array of differences in health inequality and disparity is what contributes to the United States ranking in the bottom of industrialized western nations when it comes to life expectancy rate, and infant mortality rate. Even though over the years there have been great improvements and changes, there is still more work to be done to make health and equality for all.

scholarly journals Housing Insecurity and the Emotional and Physical Health of African Americans

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 335-336
Author(s):  
Aarti Bhat ◽  
August Jenkins ◽  
David Almeida
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Chronic Health ◽  
African American Adults ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Housing insecurity—or limited and/or unreliable access to quality housing— is a potent on-going stressor that can adversely impact individual well-being. This study extends previous research by investigating the impact of housing insecurity on both the emotional and physical health of aging African American adults using the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Refresher oversample of African Americans collected from 2012-2013 (N = 508; M age = 43.02; 57% women). Participants reported on their negative affect, number of chronic health conditions experienced in the last year, and experiences of housing insecurity since the 2008 recession (e.g., homelessness, threatened with foreclosure or eviction, lost home). Negative affect and chronic conditions, respectively, were regressed on housing insecurity, and the potential moderating effect of age was tested. Results showed that housing insecurity was associated with more negative affect (B = 0.05, SE = 0.03, p = .002) and chronic health conditions (B = 0.26, SE = 0.03, p &lt; .001). Additionally, the association between housing insecurity and negative affect was moderated by age (B = -0.11, SE = 0.00, p = .019), such that the effect of housing insecurity on negative affect was stronger for younger adults than for older adults. These results suggest that experiences of insecure housing leave African American adults vulnerable to compromised emotional and physical health, however, the negative effects of housing insecurity may attenuate with age.

Abstract P195: The Association Of Psychological Stress Measures With Allostatic Load Among African Americans With Hypertension

Circulation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anika L Hines ◽  
Ebony Boulware ◽  
Sherita H Golden ◽  
Joshua J Joseph ◽  
Dingfen Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Allostatic Load ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Diabetes Status ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
The Mean

African Americans experience disproportionate stress over the life course, which has been posited as an explanatory mechanism underlying racial disparities in CVD risk. We studied associations between measures of self-reported psychosocial stress and allostatic load (AL) (elevated or fluctuating endocrine or neural responses resulting from chronic stress) among 74 participants of the Achieving Blood Pressure (BP) Control Together (ACT) study—a randomized control trial to improve BP self-management and control among African Americans. We examined ancillary AL biomarkers (i.e., DHEA-S, cortisol, CRP, IL-6) in addition to ACT study measures (i.e., HbA1c, diabetes status, total cholesterol, HDL-C, triglycerides, hyperlipidemia, urinary microalbumin) collected at 12-months follow-up. We used linear univariable and multivariable regression to estimate correlations between ratings of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Everyday Discrimination Scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) with total AL score (1 point per aforementioned component measure threshold achieved) and its components. Ninety-three percent of the sample reported moderate to severe stress; the mean discrimination score was 14.9 (SD: 7.4) (of a possible 39 points); 22% had moderate to severe depressive symptoms. The mean AL score was 3 of a possible total of 11. Perceived stress was negatively associated with CRP adjusting for other components and patient characteristics. Discrimination was associated with increases in inflammatory factors; however, this association diminished after adjusting for other AL components and patient characteristics. Depressive symptoms were positively associated with inflammatory factors and triglycerides adjusting for other AL components and patient characteristics. In conclusion, the findings from this study of African Americans with hypertension suggest correlations between self-reported psychological stressors and AL components, but not total AL score.

Abstract P285: Psychosocial Factors are Associated with Blood Pressure Progression among African Americans in the Jackson Heart Study

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra D Ford ◽  
Mario Sims ◽  
John C Higginbotham ◽  
Martha R Crowther ◽  
Sharon B Wyatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Jackson Heart Study ◽  
Incident Hypertension ◽  
Hypertension Risk ◽  
Heart Study ◽  
Adjusted Model

Background: African Americans (AA) have a higher risk of hypertension than other race/ethnic groups. Research that examines the associations of psychosocial factors with longitudinal changes in blood pressure (BP) and incident hypertension among AA is limited. Using Jackson Heart Study (JHS) data, we hypothesized that negative affect and stress are positively associated with BP progression and incident hypertension among AA. Methods: The JHS is an observational, community-based study of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in AA. Our sample consisted of 1,668 normotensive participants at baseline (2000-2004) (mean age 47±12; 61% women). We investigated sex-pooled associations of negative affect (cynical distrust, anger in, anger out and depressive symptoms) and stress (perceived stress, weekly stress inventory (WSI)-event, WSI-impact and negative life events) with BP progression (an increase by one BP stage as defined by JNC VII), incident hypertension and longitudinal changes in systolic and diastolic BP by examination 2 (2005-2008). Poisson regression analysis was utilized to examine the prevalence ratios (PR 95% CI) of BP tracking with psychosocial factors, adjusting for baseline age, sex, socioeconomic status (SES) and hypertension risk factors. Results: Men had higher cynical distrust scores than women (p<.0001). Women had higher anger out, depressive symptoms and perceived stress scores than men (p<.05). Fifty six percent of the sample (934 cases) had BP progression from 2000 to 2008. After adjustment for age and sex, a high anger-out score was associated with a 20% increased prevalence of BP progression compared to a low anger-out score (PR 1.20, 95%CI 1.05,1.36). This association attenuated after adjustment for hypertension risk factors and became non-significant. High depressive symptoms score was associated with BP progression in the age, sex and SES-adjusted model (PR, 1.14 95%CI 1.00,1.30), but not in the fully-adjusted models. High WSI-event scores were associated with BP progression in the fully-adjusted model (PR, 1.21 95% CI 1.04,1.40). Psychosocial factors were not associated with incident hypertension. Conclusions: Psychosocial factors were associated with BP progression, with the strongest evidence for number of stressful events that occurred. Further research is needed to better understand the pathway between exposure to negative affect and stress and BP progression among AA. Keywords: psychosocial, hypertension, health disparities, African Americans, Jackson Heart Study Category: Hypertension

scholarly journals 0365 Sleep Quality Associated with Perceived Stress and Autonomic Nervous System Measures: Implications for Sleep and Health Disparities

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A139-A140
Author(s):  
L Ng ◽  
N C Tkacs ◽  
T S Richmond ◽  
A L Hanlon ◽  
M A Grandner
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Autonomic Nervous System ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
The United States ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Autonomic Nervous ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Post Hoc

Abstract Introduction It is not known whether the restorative nature of sleep mediates the effects of perceived stress on the autonomic nervous system (ANS).This study explored the relationships between stress and autonomic biomarkers, and aimed to assess potential mediation by sleep quality. Methods A secondary data analysis was performed using data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS, MIDUS II & Milwaukee). Multiple regression models examined the association between perceived stress using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and two autonomic biomarkers-heart rate variability(HRV) (n=888) and urine catecholamines (n=1,058). The roles of sleep quality (using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)) and race/ethnicity were explored in post-hoc analyses. Results No statistically significant relationships were found between PSS and autonomic stress measures. However, perceived stress (b=0.09;p&lt;0.01; 95% CI=0.06,0.13) and the covariate Likert stress scale at baseline (b=0.13;p=&lt;0.04;95% CI=0.005,0.26) were significantly related to PSQI. Post hoc analyses explored racial differences. Baseline stress, PSS, depressive symptoms and PSQI scores were significantly higher in Blacks/African-Americans than Non-Hispanic Whites. Yet, Blacks/African-Americans had lower sympathetic responses (epinephrine means 1.56 vs 2.00;t=-4.82;p&lt;0.01, norepinephrine means, 24.15 vs 27.30;t=3.14;p&lt;0.01) and higher parasympathetic responses (lnHF, natural log of High Frequency HRV means 5.48 vs 4.75; t=6.17;p&lt;0.01), compared to Non-Hispanic Whites. Conclusion Blacks/African-Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites had significant differences in their sleep quality and ANS biomarkers. Sleep quality may play a role in the effect of discrimination on mental and physical health. Different stress sources may lead to variable expression in biomarkers of autonomic tone. Future prospective studies incorporating longitudinal biomarkers and alternative statistical models will help elucidate the relationships among stress, sleep, and the pathways linking these factors to poor health, and effect targeted treatments. Support The MIDUS I study was supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Research Network. MIDUS II was supported by the NIA(P01-AG020166), M01-RR023942(Georgetown), M01-RR00865(UCLA) and 1UL1RR025011(UW) grants. Many thanks to Dr. James McNally, Dr. Barry Radler, Dr. Gayle Love and Suzanne Hodge for access to the Milwaukee dataset.

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