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Kwon S, Benoit E, Windsor L. The effects of social support and self-efficacy on hopefulness in low-income older adults during COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Geriatr 2024; 24:305. [PMID: 38565999 PMCID: PMC10985883 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04915-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social support and self-efficacy play a significant role in improving positive psychological well-being in marginalized older adults. However, to date, there are few studies identifying the relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined the effect of social support and self-efficacy on hopefulness in a majority Black sample of marginalized low-income older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS This study used baseline data from a clinical trial designed to increase COVID-19 testing in Essex County, NJ, United States. The dataset involved participants 50 years old or older. We conducted: 1) cross-sectional descriptive/frequency statistics to understand the sociodemographic characteristics, 2) multivariate linear regression to investigate the direct relationships between social support subscales or self-efficacy and hopefulness, and 3) mediation analyses to examine the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between social support and hopefulness. RESULTS Our findings showed that self-efficacy had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between social support and hopefulness. After adjusting for covariate variables, social support subscales (i.e., emotional/informational, tangible, affectionate, positive social interaction social support) and self-efficacy were significantly associated with hopefulness. The indirect effect of social support via self-efficacy was positive and statistically significant. CONCLUSION Self-efficacy mediated the relationship between social support and hopefulness in marginalized older adults aged 50 and over. Further research is needed to identify the various facets of positive psychological well-being using longitudinal data and a larger sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soonhyung Kwon
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, 112 Paterson St, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
| | - Ellen Benoit
- North Jersey Community Research Initiative, 393 Central Ave, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Liliane Windsor
- North Jersey Community Research Initiative, 393 Central Ave, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
- School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1010 W Nevada St, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
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Gutowski ER, Freitag S, Zhang S, Thompson MP, Kaslow NJ. Intimate Partner Violence, Legal Systems and Barriers for African American Women. J Interpers Violence 2023; 38:NP1279-NP1298. [PMID: 35442820 PMCID: PMC9709545 DOI: 10.1177/08862605221090561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Although many African American IPV survivors need services, they often do not access care. Hopelessness may partially explain low rates in help-seeking for this population and serve as a significant barrier to care for African American IPV survivors particularly those who have had prior legal system involvement. In a sample of 185 African American women, we first examined whether hopelessness mediated the relation between IPV and barriers to services. If such a mediation effect was found, we then would explore whether legal system involvement moderated the mediated effect of hopelessness on the relation between IPV and barriers to services. As anticipated, hopelessness partially served to explain (i.e., mediated) the relation between IPV and barriers to services. Further, this mediated effect was moderated by legal system involvement such that when legal system involvement was included as a moderator, hopelessness mediated the association between IPV and barriers to services only for those survivors who had been involved with the legal system. These results underscore the critical role of hopelessness as a barrier to accessing services for African American IPV survivors, especially those with prior involvement with the legal system. Recommendations are offered that underscore the importance of interventions that empower African American women who have survived violence instead of penalizing them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Martie P. Thompson
- Emory School of
Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Appalachian State
University, Boone, NC, USA
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Hamler TC, Nguyen AW, Keith V, Qin W, Wang F. How Skin Tone Influences Relationships Between Discrimination, Psychological Distress, and Self-Rated Mental Health Among Older African Americans. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2022; 77:2026-2037. [PMID: 35976084 PMCID: PMC9683503 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES As within-group differences have emerged as a key area of inquiry for health disparities among African Americans, skin tone has been identified as an important factor. This study aims to examine: (a) the moderating role of skin tone in the relationship between discrimination, self-rated mental health, and serious psychological distress (SPD) and (b) whether this moderating effect differs across genders in a nationally representative sample of older African Americans. METHODS Analyses were conducted on a subsample of African Americans aged 55+ (N = 837) from the National Survey of American Life. The mental health outcomes were SPD and self-rated mental health. Discrimination was assessed with the Everyday Discrimination Scale. Skin tone was self-reported. Multiple linear regressions tested the study aims. RESULTS Discrimination was associated with worse self-rated mental health and SPD in the total sample and among women. Skin tone moderated the association between discrimination and SPD in the total sample and among men and women. The associations between discrimination and mental health outcomes were stronger among darker-skinned respondents than lighter respondents. Gender-stratified analyses indicated skin tone moderated the association between discrimination and self-rated mental health for men but not women. DISCUSSION This study contributes to the emerging body of literature on skin tone, discrimination, and mental health. Uncovering mechanisms behind the "why" is an important next step in understanding how skin tone influences the relationship between discrimination and mental health. The negative psychological effects associated with darker complexion provide several areas to be examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyrone C Hamler
- Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Ann W Nguyen
- Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Verna Keith
- Department of Sociology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Weidi Qin
- Center for Social Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Fei Wang
- Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Mezuk B, Dang L, Jurgens D, Smith J. Work Expectations, Depressive Symptoms, and Passive Suicidal Ideation Among Older Adults: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study. Gerontologist 2022; 62:1454-1465. [PMID: 35914806 PMCID: PMC9710239 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnac110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Employment and work transitions (e.g., retirement) influence mental health. However, how psychosocial contexts such as anticipation and uncertainty about work transitions, irrespective of the transitions themselves, relate to mental health is unclear. This study examined the relationships of work expectations with depressive symptoms, major depression episodes (MDE), and passive suicidal ideation over a 10-year period among the "Baby Boom" cohort of the Health and Retirement Study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Analysis was limited to 13,247 respondents aged 53-70 observed from 2008 to 2018. Past-year depressive symptoms, MDE, and passive suicidal ideation were indexed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Short Form. Expectations regarding working full-time after age 62 were assessed using a probability scale (0%-100%). Mixed-effect logistic regressions with time-varying covariates were used to assess the relationship of work expectations with mental health, accounting for demographics, health status, and functioning, and stratified by baseline employment status. RESULTS At baseline, higher work expectations were inversely associated with depressive symptoms. Longitudinally, higher expectations were associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.91, 0.94). This association was more pronounced among respondents not working at baseline (ORNot working = 0.93 vs ORWorking = 0.96). Greater uncertainty (i.e., expectations near 50%) was also inversely associated with depressive symptoms. Results were similar for past-year MDE and passive suicidal ideation. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Expectations (overall likelihood and uncertainty), as indicators of psychosocial context, provide insight into the processes that link work transitions with depression risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briana Mezuk
- Address correspondence to: Briana Mezuk, PhD, Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Suite 2649B, SPH 1, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. E-mail:
| | - Linh Dang
- Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - David Jurgens
- School of Information, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jacqui Smith
- Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Abstract
At all levels of socioeconomic status, Black Americans can expect to live shorter and sicker lives than their White counterparts. This study advances the perspective that anti-Black stigma from Whites precludes Blacks from reaping the full health rewards of higher status, particularly within the context of neighborhoods. To test this hypothesis, I merge census data with rich survey and biomarker data from the Nashville Stress and Health Study, a representative sample of Black and White adults from Davidson County, Tennessee (n = 1,252). Initially, I find that Blacks who reside in higher-status and mostly White communities exhibit lower levels of neuroendocrine stress hormones, relative to their peers living in disadvantaged Black neighborhoods. But Blacks in higher-status areas also report more perceived discrimination. In turn, perceived discrimination is associated with chronic bodily pain, as well as elevated stress hormones and blood pressure tied to high goal-striving stress, or fears of being blocked from reaching life goals. After accounting for racism-related stressors, Blacks exhibit comparable levels of physiological distress regardless of neighborhood context. The inverse is true for Whites, who report fewer stressors in higher-status neighborhoods, and less physiological distress than Blacks overall. Findings are discussed within the context of social evolutionary theories of the human brain and are dovetailed with broader racial health disparities in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reed T. DeAngelis
- Department of Sociology and the Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Ezell JM, Alsmadi I, Gosnell N, Kaur A. The racial and cultural ecology of home and community-based services for diverse older adults. J Aging Stud 2022; 61:101023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaging.2022.101023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Coelho-Júnior HJ, Calvani R, Panza F, Allegri RF, Picca A, Marzetti E, Alves VP. Religiosity/Spirituality and Mental Health in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:877213. [PMID: 35646998 PMCID: PMC9133607 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.877213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The present study investigated the association between religious and spiritual (RS) practices with the prevalence, severity, and incidence of mental health problems in older adults. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that investigated older adults aged 60+ years and assessed RS using valid scales and questions from valid scales, and mental health according to validated multidimensional or specific instruments. Studies were retrieved from MEDLINE, LILACS, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and AgeLine databases until July 31, 2021. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). A pooled effect size was calculated based on the log odds ratio (OR) and Z-scores. This study is registered on PROSPERO. Results One hundred and two studies that investigated 79.918 community-dwellers, hospitalized, and institutionalized older adults were included. Results indicated that high RS was negatively associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms, while a positive association was observed with life satisfaction, meaning in life, social relations, and psychological well-being. Specifically, people with high spirituality, intrinsic religiosity, and religious affiliation had a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms. In relation to longitudinal analysis, most studies supported that high RS levels were associated with a lower incidence of depressive symptoms and fear of death, as well as better mental health status. Conclusion Findings of the present study suggest that RS are significantly associated with mental health in older adults. People with high RS levels had a lower prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as reported greater life satisfaction and psychological well-being, better social relations, and more definite meaning in life. Data provided by an increasing number of longitudinal studies have supported most of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélio José Coelho-Júnior
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Institute of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Rome, Italy
- Department of Gerontology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Hélio José Coelho-Júnior
| | - Riccardo Calvani
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Panza
- National Institute of Gastroenterology “Saverio de Bellis”, Research Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Riccardo F. Allegri
- Department of Cognitive Neurology, Instituto de Investigaciones Neurológicas Fleni, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Neurosciences, Universidad de la Costa (CUC), Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Anna Picca
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Marzetti
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Institute of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vicente Paulo Alves
- Department of Gerontology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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Loyd AB, Kürüm E, Crooks N, Maya A, Emerson E, Donenberg GR. Investigating Longitudinal Associations Between Racial Microaggressions, Coping, Racial/Ethnic Identity, and Mental Health in Black Girls and Women. J Res Adolesc 2022; 32:69-88. [PMID: 34951078 DOI: 10.1111/jora.12710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Racial microaggressions pose significant risk to health and well-being among Black adolescents and adults. Yet, protective factors (i.e., coping, racial/ethnic identity) can moderate the impact of racial microaggressions over time. Unfortunately, few studies have evaluated the role of these protective factors longitudinally or specifically among Black girls and women. In the current study, we focused on the experiences of Black girls and women and investigated the longitudinal links between racial microaggressions and mental health symptoms over 1 year. We then explored the role of two key protective factors as moderators-coping with racial discrimination and racial/ethnic identity-for mental health. Participants included 199 Black adolescent girls (Mage = 16.02) and 199 Black women (Mage = 42.82) who completed measures on two types of racial microaggressions, three types of coping strategies, racial/ethnic identity, and mental health symptomology. Girls and women completed measures at three time points over 1 year. Results indicated both types of microaggressions predicted increased mental health symptoms in Black women. Among Black girls, assumptions of criminality predicted increased externalizing symptoms only when protective factors were included in the model. Analysis of the protective factors indicated a potential direct benefit rather than a moderating role of coping with racial discrimination through positive thinking for mental health in both Black girls and women. Evidence suggests that coping may have had a direct rather than an indirect effect on Black girls' mental health over time. We conclude with future directions for research and considerations for practice.
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Nguyen AW, Wang F, Qin W, Hamler TC. The Role of Church Support Networks in the Relationship between Discrimination and Psychiatric Disorders among Older African Americans. Rev Relig Res 2022; 64:35-54. [PMID: 35757388 PMCID: PMC9223494 DOI: 10.1007/s13644-021-00464-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have examined the effects of discrimination on mental health specifically among older African Americans despite it being a common experience in this population. Further, knowledge on social resources, such as social relationships, that could mitigate the effects of discrimination is limited in this population. Given the historical and contemporaneous importance of the Black church in African American communities, church members are important support network members and a major source of social support for older African Americans. PURPOSE To address these knowledge gaps, this study will (1) examine the association between racial discrimination and psychiatric disorders; and (2) determine whether church relationships moderate the impact of racial discrimination on psychiatric disorders. METHODS Data from African American respondents aged 55 and older were drawn from the National Survey of American Life (N = 837). Church relationship variables included receipt of emotional support from, frequency of contact with, and subjective closeness to church members. Regression analyses were used to test the study aims. RESULTS Analyses indicated that more frequent experiences of racial discrimination were associated with meeting criteria for any DSM-IV disorder and a greater number of DSM-IV disorders. Significant interactions revealed that frequency of contact with and subjective closeness to church members mitigated the association between discrimination and meeting criteria for any 12-month disorder and number of 12-month disorders. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Altogether, these findings support the literature on the detrimental effects of discrimination on the mental health of older African Americans and provide a more nuanced understanding of the role of church members in the lives of older African Americans. The study findings suggest that church relationships are effective stress coping resources for older African Americans dealing with discrimination. Given the importance and relevance of church members, initial clinical assessments should assess clients' level of religious involvement and relationships with church members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann W Nguyen
- Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University
| | - Fei Wang
- Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University
| | - Weidi Qin
- Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University
| | - Tyrone C Hamler
- Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University
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Nilsson Schönnesson L, Ross MW, Garcia-huidobro D, Eriksson LE, Andersson G, Williams ML, Ekström A. Hopelessness and HIV infection: an exploratory study with a gender-specific perspective. BMC Psychol 2022; 10. [PMID: 35227317 PMCID: PMC8887031 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00755-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background An understudied psychological response to HIV-related stressors among people living with HIV is hopelessness. Hopelessness is the expectation that things will not improve and feeling helpless to change one’s current situation. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence and levels of hopelessness and its direct and indirect contributors in people living with HIV in Sweden.
Methods Participants included 967 women and men from the “Living with HIV in Sweden” cross-sectional study with available data regarding hopelessness measured by the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine direct and indirect factors that may contribute to feelings of hopelessness. Path analyses were used to assess the underlying structure of hopelessness. All analyses were conducted by gender. Results Almost half the participants reported moderate to severe hopelessness. There were no differences in frequency of feeling hopeless or level of hopelessness by gender or sexual orientation. Dissatisfaction with finances, dissatisfaction with physical health, and low HIV-related emotional support were found to be directly associated with hopelessness for both women and men. Although having some indirect factors in common, unemployment and HIV stigmatization, women and men had different underlying structures of hopelessness. Conclusions Our findings are important to HIV clinicians in identifying those at risk of hopelessness from a gender perspective in order to reduce preventable psychological distress among people living with HIV.
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Taylor RJ, Skipper AD, Ellis JM, Chatters LM. Church-Based Emotional Support and Negative Interactions Among Older African Americans and Black Caribbeans. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2022; 77:2006-2015. [PMID: 35218658 PMCID: PMC9683488 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study investigates church-based informal social support among older African Americans and Black Caribbeans. In particular, we examine the correlates of receiving emotional support as well as negative interactions (e.g., criticisms) from church members. METHODS The analysis is based on the older African American (n = 829) and Black Caribbean (n = 271) subsample of the National Survey of American Life. The analysis utilizes multiple group structural equation modeling (SEM) to test a model of church support networks. RESULTS There were no significant differences between older African Americans and older Black Caribbeans in the frequency of service attendance, contact with church members (seeing, writing, talking), emotional support from church members, or negative interactions with church members. However, a comparison of SEM analysis indicates that the number and pattern of relationships are different. For instance, among African Americans church attendance was associated with emotional support, but among Black Caribbeans attendance did not have a direct or indirect effect on emotional support. Our findings also indicate that among older African Americans, women attend religious services more frequently and both receive emotional support and engage in negative interactions with church members more frequently than men. Among Black Caribbeans, however, men attend religious services less frequently than women but also have more negative interactions with church members. DISCUSSION For both African American and Black Caribbean older adults, church members are an important element of their social support networks. Our analysis also underscores the importance of contact with church members for receiving emotional support for both populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Joseph Taylor
- Address correspondence to: Robert Joseph Taylor, PhD, MSW, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. E-mail:
| | - Antonius D Skipper
- The Gerontology Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - James M Ellis
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Linda M Chatters
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA,Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Perlis RH, Ognyanova K, Quintana A, Green J, Santillana M, Lin J, Druckman J, Lazer D, Simonson MD, Baum MA, Chwe H. Gender-specificity of resilience in major depressive disorder. Depress Anxiety 2021; 38:1026-1033. [PMID: 34370885 PMCID: PMC9544406 DOI: 10.1002/da.23203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The major stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic provide an opportunity to understand the extent to which protective factors against depression may exhibit gender-specificity. METHOD This study examined responses from multiple waves of a 50 states non-probability internet survey conducted between May 2020 and January 2021. Participants completed the PHQ-9 as a measure of depression, as well as items characterizing social supports. We used logistic regression models with population reweighting to examine association between absence of even mild depressive symptoms and sociodemographic features and social supports, with interaction terms and stratification used to investigate sex-specificity. RESULTS Among 73,917 survey respondents, 31,199 (42.2%) reported absence of mild or greater depression-11,011/23,682 males (46.5%) and 20,188/50,235 (40.2%) females. In a regression model, features associated with greater likelihood of depression-resistance included at least weekly attendance of religious services (odds ratio [OR]: 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.16) and greater trust in others (OR: 1.04 for a 2-unit increase, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06), along with level of social support measured as number of social ties available who could provide care (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.07), talk to them (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.07-1.12), and help with employment (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04-1.08). The first two features showed significant interaction with gender (p < .0001), with markedly greater protective effects among women. CONCLUSION Aspects of social support are associated with diminished risk of major depressive symptoms, with greater effects of religious service attendance and trust in others observed among women than men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy H. Perlis
- Center for Quantitative HealthMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of PsychiatryHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Alexi Quintana
- Network Science InstituteNortheastern UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jon Green
- Network Science InstituteNortheastern UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Mauricio Santillana
- Computational Health Informatics ProgramBoston Children's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of PediatricsHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of EpidemiologHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jennifer Lin
- Department of Political ScienceNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonIllinoisUSA
| | - James Druckman
- Department of Political Science and Institute for Policy ResearchNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonIllinoisUSA
| | - David Lazer
- Network Science InstituteNortheastern UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Matthew A. Baum
- John F. Kennedy School of GovernmentHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Hanyu Chwe
- Network Science InstituteNortheastern UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
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Brown LL, Zhang YS, Mitchell U. Black Older Adults in the Age of Biomarkers, Physical Functioning, and Genomics: Heterogeneity, Community Engagement, and Bioethics. Annu Rev Gerontol Geriatr 2021; 41:183-210. [PMID: 37008388 PMCID: PMC10065475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
There are persistent disparities in all-cause mortality between Blacks and Whites in the United States. Black Americans also carry the greatest burden of morbidity from different diseases of aging including heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Health disparities research, and particularly race/ethnic comparison studies of physical health and aging, have consistently positioned Black health in frameworks of disadvantage, suggesting that regardless of the outcome, Black people are in worse states of health and well-being relative to Whites. Yet, extensive evidence suggests that there is significant within-group variability in the aging process among Black older adults. The use of biological, physical performance, and genomic data in survey settings offer new tools and insights to interrogate heterogeneity in Black health. This chapter examines indicators of biological, physical performance, and genetic markers of aging among a national sample of Black Americans ages 54+ years with the aim of addressing two questions about heterogeneity among Black older adults: (a) How do these measures vary by age and gender among Black older adults? (b) Which indicators predict health and mortality among Black older adults? The results indicate that biological, physical performance, and genomic measures of health, generally, have more variation than simple yes or no measures of a disease, condition, or diagnosis among Black older adults, providing counternarratives to the disadvantage frameworks that dominate characterizations of Black health and aging. However, bioethical challenges limit the utility of biomarkers, physical performance, and genomics measures for Black populations.
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