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Obenauf C, Mekawi Y, Lathan EC, Hinojosa CA, Thomas JG, Stevens JS, Powers A, Michopoulos V, Carter S. Indirect effect of race-related stress on traumatic stress and depression symptoms via subjective social status in a Black community sample. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 72:116-126. [PMID: 37434412 DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Experiencing racism is linked to lower subjective social status (SSS), defined as one's perception of their position in society. SSS is influenced by power, prestige, and objective socioeconomic status (SES). Previous findings suggest that race-related stress may be related to adverse mental health outcomes through SSS in Black Americans, a population that has been deeply affected by continuing legacies of oppression. The current study examines the indirect association between race-related stress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms through SSS in a community sample of largely trauma-exposed Black Americans (N = 173). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that overall race-related stress significantly predicted lower SSS, higher PTSD symptoms, and higher depression symptoms. Analyses also revealed indirect effects of cultural race-related stress on PTSD and depression symptoms through SSS after controlling for SES. Results suggest that the experience of race-related stress, particularly cultural race-related stress, which involves the degradation and disparagement of one's culture and worldview, is associated with more severe PTSD and depression symptoms potentially due to these experiences decreasing Black Americans' SSS. Findings support the need for systemic intervention strategies to disrupt the cultural oppression of Black Americans and improve the societal value and mental health of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Obenauf
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Yara Mekawi
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Emma C Lathan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Cecilia A Hinojosa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Joel G Thomas
- Department of Psychology, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, Georgia, USA
| | - Jennifer S Stevens
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Abigail Powers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Vasiliki Michopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sierra Carter
- Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Zvolensky MJ, Shepherd JM, Clausen BK, Kabel KE, Kauffman BY, Garey L, McGrew SJ, Vujanovic AA. Anxiety Sensitivity Among Trauma-Exposed Non-Hispanic Black Adults: Relations to Posttraumatic Stress. J Nerv Ment Dis 2023; 211:273-280. [PMID: 36252272 PMCID: PMC10049966 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The non-Hispanic Black population experiences trauma-related disparities. One potentially important individual difference construct for posttraumatic stress is anxiety sensitivity. There is limited work on anxiety sensitivity among non-Hispanic Black persons, and no research has focused on this construct in terms of posttraumatic stress among this population. This study sought to build on this limited knowledge by exploring whether this construct was uniquely associated with more severe posttraumatic stress among this population. Participants included non-Hispanic Black trauma-exposed adults ( N = 121; Mage = 21.79 years). Results indicated that anxiety sensitivity was related to more severe overall posttraumatic stress and greater severity of each posttraumatic stress symptom cluster; all effects were evident after adjusting for the variance accounted for by age, sex, education, subjective social status, neuroticism, and number of traumatic event types experienced (lifetime). The study provides the first empirical evidence that, among a trauma-exposed non-Hispanic Black sample of adults, anxiety sensitivity is related to more severe posttraumatic stress symptoms. This intraindividual difference factor could be a focus of intervention programming for this trauma disparity population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Zvolensky
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Bryce K. Clausen
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | | | - Lorra Garey
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Shelby J. McGrew
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anka A. Vujanovic
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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Zvolensky MJ, Shepherd JM, Clausen BK, Kauffman BY, Heggeness L, Garey L. Anxiety Sensitivity Among Non-Hispanic Black Adults: Relations to Mental Health and Psychosomatic States. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2023; 10:751-760. [PMID: 35182371 PMCID: PMC10062188 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-022-01263-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The non-Hispanic Black adult population has notable disparities in mental and physical health compared to several other racial/ethnic groups. Yet, there is a lack of scientific knowledge about psychologically based individual difference factors that may be associated with an exacerbation of common mental and physical health symptoms among non-Hispanic Black persons. The present investigation sought to build on the limited knowledge about anxiety sensitivity among non-Hispanic Black adults by exploring whether this construct was uniquely associated with a range of prevalent mental health and psychosomatic symptoms commonly tied to disparities among this population. Participants included non-Hispanic Black adults (N = 205; Mage = 21.67 years; SDage = 5.39; age range: 18-60 years; 82.0% female). Results indicated that anxiety sensitivity was positively related to anxious arousal, general depression, insomnia, fatigue severity, and somatic symptom severity; effects were evident above and beyond the variance explained by a range of covariates, including age, sex, education, subjective social status, and neuroticism. Overall, the present findings uniquely build from past research on anxiety sensitivity and non-Hispanic Black adults by demonstrating that individual differences in this construct are consistently and relatively robustly associated with a wide range of mental health and psychosomatic symptoms. Future research that builds from this work may benefit from consideration of intervention programming targeting anxiety sensitivity reduction to offset mental and physical health impairments among the non-Hispanic Black population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Zvolensky
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 3695 Cullen Blvd., Room 126, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
- Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Justin M Shepherd
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 3695 Cullen Blvd., Room 126, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Bryce K Clausen
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 3695 Cullen Blvd., Room 126, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Brooke Y Kauffman
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 3695 Cullen Blvd., Room 126, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Luke Heggeness
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 3695 Cullen Blvd., Room 126, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Lorra Garey
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 3695 Cullen Blvd., Room 126, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
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Zvolensky MJ, Clausen BK, Shepherd JM, Kabel KE, Kauffman B, Garey L. Anxiety sensitivity in relation to post-traumatic stress disorder symptom clusters among young adults with probable post-traumatic stress disorder. Cogn Behav Ther 2022; 51:470-485. [PMID: 35549620 PMCID: PMC10062194 DOI: 10.1080/16506073.2022.2070539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Despite the promise of past research on anxiety sensitivity (AS) and posttraumatic stress, extant work is limited, given (1) most studies consist of non-Hispanic White and middle-aged samples, (2) few have demonstrated incremental validity to general emotional traits and social determinants of health, and (3) limited work has characterized how AS relates to specific Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptom clusters among those with (probable) PTSD. The current study evaluated the role of AS in relation to PTSD symptom clusters among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of young adults with probable PTSD. Participants included young adults who met the clinical cut-off for probable PTSD per the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale. Results indicated that AS was significantly related to overall posttraumatic stress symptom severity; the effect was evident after adjusting for a range of covariates including neuroticism and subjective social status. AS also was incrementally associated with arousal and hyperreactivity, changes in mood and cognition, and intrusion PTSD symptom clusters. In contrast to expectation, no effect for AS was evident for the avoidance PTSD symptom cluster. The current data uniquely add to the existing AS PTSD literature by showcasing distinct symptom cluster patterns among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of young adults with probable PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Zvolensky
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Bryce K. Clausen
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | | | - Brooke Kauffman
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lorra Garey
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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Businelle MS, Garey L, Gallagher MW, Hébert ET, Vujanovic A, Alexander A, Kezbers K, Matoska C, Robison J, Montgomery A, Zvolensky MJ. An Integrated mHealth App for Smoking Cessation in Black Smokers With Anxiety: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2022; 11:e38905. [PMID: 35635746 PMCID: PMC9153912 DOI: 10.2196/38905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Black smokers have greater difficulty in quitting and higher rates of smoking-related diseases and disabilities than the general population. The smoking disparities experienced by this group are, in part, a consequence of multiple chronic life stressors (eg, racial discrimination) that engender increased exposure to interoceptive stress symptoms (eg, anxiety), which can ultimately lead to smoking as a means of immediate emotion regulation. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to culturally adapt and initially test a novel mobile intervention (ie, Mobile Anxiety Sensitivity Program for Smoking [MASP]) that targets anxiety sensitivity (AS; a proxy for difficulty and responsivity to interoceptive stress) among Black smokers. The MASP intervention is culturally informed to address interoceptive stress management difficulties among Black smokers and is thus hypothesized to facilitate smoking cessation. METHODS In phase 1, a total of 25 Black smokers with elevated AS will be administered MASP for 6 weeks. Following the completion of phase 1, we will further refine the MASP based on qualitative and quantitative data from participants to produce the final MASP iteration. In phase 2, a total of 200 Black smokers with elevated AS will be enrolled and randomly assigned to receive nicotine replacement therapy and either the smartphone-based National Cancer Institute QuitGuide app for standard mobile smoking cessation treatment or the MASP intervention. All participants in phases 1 and 2 will be enrolled remotely and will complete a web-based study screener; smartphone-based baseline assessment; daily smartphone-based ecological momentary assessments for 6 weeks; phone-based end-of-treatment qualitative interviews; and smartphone-based follow-up assessments at postbaseline weeks 1, 2 (quit date), 3, 4, 5, 6, 28, and 54 (weeks 28 and 54 follow-ups will be completed by phase 2 participants only). The MASP intervention is intended to offset barriers to treatment and encourage treatment engagement via smartphones. RESULTS This project was funded in September 2020. Phase 1 data collection began in January 2022. Phase 2 data collection is scheduled to begin in July 2022. CONCLUSIONS If successful, data from this study will support culturally informed treatment approaches for Black smokers and, pending findings of efficacy, provide an evidence-based mobile intervention for smoking cessation that is ready for dissemination and implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04838236; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04838236. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/38905.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Businelle
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Lorra Garey
- HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Matthew W Gallagher
- HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Emily T Hébert
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Anka Vujanovic
- HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Adam Alexander
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Krista Kezbers
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Cameron Matoska
- HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jillian Robison
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Audrey Montgomery
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Michael J Zvolensky
- HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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How does subjective social status affect internalizing and externalizing problems among Syrian refugee adolescents? CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03002-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Although previous studies found the importance of community subjective social status for adolescent health, its relationship with mental health problems among refugee adolescents is unclear. To close this gap, we examined the nature of the relationship between subjective social status and externalizing problems in refugee adolescents. We carried out a cross-sectional study among three hundred and six 11–18-year-old Syrian refugee adolescents in Turkey. The measurements of the study were the MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the Depression Self Rating Scale for Children (DSRS-C), and the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS). The results supported the idea that adolescent’s community subjective social status may affect internalizing problems directly and externalizing problems indirectly via internalizing problems. The mediation effect of the internalizing problems on the relationship between subjective social status and externalizing problems were confirmed by three separate mediation models. The results were discussed in terms of previous literature.
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Nitturi V, Chen TA, Zvolensky MJ, McNeill LH, Obasi EM, Reitzel LR. Anxiety Sensitivity and Fast-Food Ordering Habits Among Black Adults. HEALTH BEHAVIOR RESEARCH 2021; 4. [PMID: 34541461 DOI: 10.4148/2572-1836.1086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Black adults experience high rates of overweight/obesity, which is linked to chronic diseases and is exacerbated by fast-food consumption. Anxiety sensitivity, a relative stable fear of anxiety-related sensations, has been linked to high caloric intake. Here, we examine whether anxiety sensitivity is associated with fast-food ordering habits within a convenience sample of Black adults. Methods Of 124 adults (79.4% women; Mage=49.3±11.6; 84.8% overweight/obese), 107 (86.3%) reported eating from a fast-food restaurant in the last month. Participants completed the Anxiety Sensitivity-Index 3, which has a total score and physical, cognitive, and social concerns subscales. Investigator-generated items queried frequency of ordering "supersized" quantities of fast-food (e.g., cheeseburgers, fries), and healthy items (e.g., salads, oatmeal, yogurt), respectively, from "never" to "always." Covariate-adjusted ordinal logistic regression models were used to assess relations between measures of interest. Results Anxiety sensitivity (total and physical concerns) was associated with greater odds of more frequently ordering supersized unhealthy fast-food; and anxiety sensitivity (total and cognitive concerns) was associated with lower odds of more frequently ordering healthy items from fast-food restaurants. Conclusions Results suggest that adults with greater anxiety sensitivity may engage in fast-food ordering habits that can contribute to the overweight/obesity epidemic. Future studies should replicate results and determine the potential for anxiety sensitivity-reduction interventions to affect dietary choices that contribute to overweight/obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Nitturi
- The University of Houston, Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, and the University of Houston, HEALTH Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Tzu-An Chen
- The University of Houston, Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, and the University of Houston, HEALTH Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Michael J Zvolensky
- The University of Houston, HEALTH Research Institute, The University of Houston, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Behavioral Sciences, Houston, Texas
| | - Lorna H McNeill
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Health Disparities Research, Houston, TX
| | - Ezemenari M Obasi
- The University of Houston, Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, and the University of Houston, HEALTH Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Lorraine R Reitzel
- The University of Houston, Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, and the University of Houston, HEALTH Research Institute, Houston, Texas
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Brooks JR, Lebeaut A, Zegel M, Walker RL, Vujanovic AA. Anxiety sensitivity and suicide risk: Mindfulness as a psychological buffer for Black adults. J Affect Disord 2021; 289:74-80. [PMID: 33945917 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety sensitivity (AS), defined as the fear of anxiety-related sensations, is associated with increased risk for suicide and related behavior. However, investigations of AS have centered on primarily non-Hispanic White men and women and with limited attention to clinically relevant underlying factors. METHODS The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine the indirect effect of AS on suicide ideation and elevated suicide risk through mindfulness in a sample of 307 Black adults (79.2% female; Mage = 22.4, SD = 5.6). Participants completed an online questionnaire battery that included measures of AS, mindfulness, suicide ideation, and elevated suicide risk. RESULTS After controlling for age and gender, results indicated that AS was directly and indirectly associated with suicide ideation and elevated suicide risk via lower levels of mindfulness. LIMITATIONS Limitations include using a cross-sectional methodological design and exclusive reliance on self-report measures. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide preliminary insight into novel risk and protective factors that influence suicide ideation and elevated suicide risk among Black Americans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin R Brooks
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX
| | - Antoine Lebeaut
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX
| | - Maya Zegel
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX
| | - Rheeda L Walker
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX
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McClain AC, Gallo LC, Mattei J. Subjective Social Status and Cardiometabolic Risk Markers by Intersectionality of Race/Ethnicity and Sex Among U.S. Young Adults. Ann Behav Med 2021; 56:442-460. [PMID: 33942845 DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaab025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Subjective social status (SSS) has shown inverse relationships with cardiometabolic risk, but intersectionalities of race/ethnicity and sex may indicate more nuanced relationships. PURPOSE To investigate associations of SSS with cardiometabolic risk markers by race/ethnicity and sex. METHODS Data were from Wave IV (2008) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (n = 4,847; 24-32 years), which collected biological cardiometabolic risk markers. A 10-step ladder captured SSS; respondents indicated on which step they perceived they stood in relation to other people in the U.S. higher values indicated higher SSS (range: 1-10). We tested the relationship between SSS and individual markers using generalized least square means linear regression models, testing three-way interactions between SSS, race/ethnicity, and sex (p < .10) before stratification. RESULTS SSS-race/ethnicity-sex interactions were significantly associated with waist circumference (p ≤ .0001), body mass index (BMI; p ≤ .0001), systolic blood pressure (SBP; p ≤ .0001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP; p = .0004), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; p = .07). SSS was associated with waist circumference (β [SE]: -1.2 (0.4), p < .05) and BMI (-0.6 [0.2], p < .01) for non-Hispanic White females, compared with males; with HDL-C among non-Hispanic White (0.2 [0.1]; p < .05) and Hispanic (0.3 (0.1); p < .05) females, compared with males; with SBP for non-Hispanic Asian (1.7 [0.8]; p < .05) and Multiracial (1.8 [0.8]; p < .05), versus White, females; and with DBP for non-Hispanic Black (0.8 [0.3]; p < .01), versus White, males. CONCLUSIONS SSS was differentially related to cardiometabolic risk markers by race/ethnicity and sex, suggesting intersectional aspects. Clinical and research applications of SSS should consider race/ethnicity- and sex-specific pathways influencing cardiometabolic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda C McClain
- School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Linda C Gallo
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Josiemer Mattei
- Department of Nutrition, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
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Wetherall K, Robb KA, O'Connor RC. Social rank theory of depression: A systematic review of self-perceptions of social rank and their relationship with depressive symptoms and suicide risk. J Affect Disord 2019; 246:300-319. [PMID: 30594043 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression can be debilitating, as well as a risk factor for self-harm and suicide. Social rank theory (SRT) suggests depression stems from feelings of defeat and entrapment that ensue from experiencing oneself to be of lower rank than others. This study aims to review the literature investigating the relationship between self-perceptions of social rank and depressive symptoms or suicidal ideation/behaviour. METHODS A keyword search of three psychological and medical databases was completed (Psychinfo, Medline, Web of Knowledge). Studies were quality assessed using established criteria. RESULTS An initial 1290 records were identified. After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 70 remained measuring depressive symptoms (n = 68), self-harm (n = 3) and suicidal ideation (n = 3). The main measures assessing social rank were the social comparison scale (SCS; n = 32) and subjective social status (SSS, n = 32), with six additional papers including another measure of social rank. In univariate analyses, as perceptions of social rank decreased, depressive symptoms (and suicidal ideation/self-harm) increased. Multivariate analyses indicated that social rank may act as a psychosocial mechanism to explain the relationship between social factors (in particular socio-economic status) and depressive symptoms. Additionally, psychological variables, such as rumination or self-esteem, may mediate or moderate the relationship between social rank and depressive or suicidal symptoms. LIMITATIONS Study quality was variable and 89% of studies were cross-sectional. CONCLUSIONS Although more prospective research is required, this review highlights the importance of understanding an individual's perception of their social position compared to others as it may lead to an enhanced understanding of the aetiology of depressive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Wetherall
- Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, 1055 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0XH, UK.
| | - Kathryn A Robb
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, 1055 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0XH, UK
| | - Rory C O'Connor
- Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, 1055 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0XH, UK
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