Race, Depression, and Financial Distress in a Nationally Representative Sample of American Adults

Background: Although depression and financial distress are correlated, this association may differ for demographic groups, particularly based on race. Aim: Using a national sample of American adults, this study tested whether the association between Major Depressive Episode (MDE) and financial distress differs between African Americans and Whites. Methods: The National Survey of American Life (NSAL), 2003, enrolled 3570 African American and 891 Non-Hispanic White American adults. Demographic data (age and gender), socioeconomic position (SEP; i.e., education, employment, marital status, and income), financial distress, and 12-month MDE were measured. Logistic regression was used for data analysis. Results: In the pooled sample, 12-month MDE was associated with higher odds of financial distress, above and beyond objective SEP measures. We found MDE by race interaction on financial distress, suggesting stronger association between MDE and financial distress among African Americans, compared to Whites. Conclusions: The link between MDE and financial distress depends on race. The financial needs of African Americans with depression should be addressed. Depression screening is also needed for African Americans with financial distress.

Oxytocin increases emotional theory of mind, but only for low socioeconomic status individuals

Studies have linked oxytocin to emotional theory of mind (eToM) — the ability to recognise and understand others' emotions. However, multiple replications have so far failed to reach a consistent result. Growing evidence suggests that oxytocin's positive effects on social-emotional tasks such as eToM are highly dependent on trait-level individual differences. In the present study, we theorised that socioeconomic status (SES) could influence oxytocin's impact on emotional mentalising processes. We tested our hypothesis in a double-blind between–subjects oxytocin nasal spray study on 147 Caucasian white male participants in the United Kingdom. In accordance with our hypothesis, we found that oxytocin (as compared to placebo) did boost emotional theory of mind, but only in people from low subjective SES backgrounds. Our results expand existing theory on how individual differences moderate oxytocin's role on social behaviours.

Assessing socioeconomic status through dental and associated tissue characteristics: A cross-sectional study for human identification

Background

Dental identification methods are employed to determine a person's identity in forensic odontology. Additionally, analyzing a person's teeth can provide insights into their socioeconomic status, which may assist in the process of identification. Our study aimed to assess the correlation between dental health status and SES among individuals, with a focus on identifying predictors of SES based on dental health indicators.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between dental health status and socioeconomic status among 135 individuals. who had visited the Department of Oral Medicine for various forms of dental care. SES was measured according to a modified Kuppuswamy scale. The associations between SES and dental health indicators were analyzed using chi-square tests for categorical variables and t-tests for continuous variables.

Results

Dental caries is more common in lower SES groups, attributed to factors like poor nutrition and hygiene. Partial and complete edentulism are also more prevalent in lower SES populations, often due to financial constraints and lack of awareness, leading to extractions rather than restorations. However, urban populations, regardless of SES, show greater utilization of dental restorations, likely due to the concentration of dentists in cities and access to community-based dental camps offering low-cost treatments. Periodontal diseases further reflect SES disparities. Studies show that individuals from lower SES backgrounds report more severe periodontal issues, such as gingival swelling, while higher SES groups report milder symptoms like gingival bleeding, indicating earlier intervention.

Conclusion

SES plays a vital role in shaping health and lifestyle outcomes. The findings in our study demonstrate the value of incorporating SES indicators, such as education, occupation, marital status, and residence, into forensic investigations to enhance the precision of identification processes.

Cognitive interventions in children and adolescents from low socioeconomic status backgrounds: a systematic review protocol of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Many studies have evaluated the effects that a lack of resources has in children's physical and cognitive development. Although there are reviews that have focused on applied interventions from different perspectives, there is still a need for a comprehensive review of what has been attempted with these children from the cognitive intervention field. The aim of this paper is to present a protocol for a systematic review collecting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studies whose purpose was to enhance cognitive development through the implementation of cognitive interventions in children and adolescents (< 18 years old) from low socioeconomic Status (SES) settings.

METHODS

The following databases will be searched: Web of Science (WoS core collection), PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial, ERIC, PubMed, ICTRP and Opengrey Register (System for Information of Grey Literature in Europe). Searches will be adapted for each database. Additionally, the reference list of articles included in the review will also be searched. As part of this process, two reviewers will determine, independently, the suitability of each article taking into account predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Pertinent data will then be extracted, including sample characteristics, specifics of the intervention, and outcomes, as well as follow-up measures. Internal validity will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. A quantitative synthesis of results will be conducted using a meta-analysis. However, if a meta-analysis is difficult to implement due to the diversity of the studies (for example, in terms of measures used to estimate the effect size, intervention types, outcomes, etc.), the technique synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) will be used. A description of outcome measures will be provided, as measured by validated neuropsychological instruments of any cognitive function.

DISCUSSION

The systematic review will offer a framework based on evidence to organisations, institutions, and experts who want to implement or promote interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive domains in children and adolescents who live in disadvantaged contexts.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

This protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 16 March 2020 (registration number: CDR42020150238).

The Influence of Financial Stress and First-generation College Status on Changes in Inflammation and Depressive Symptoms Across the Transition to College

OBJECTIVES

Socioeconomic adversity can hinder successful adjustment to college and may contribute to disparities in health. The present study evaluated whether first-generation college student status and financial stress over college expenses predicted changes in inflammation markers and depressive symptoms across the first year of college.

METHODS

At the beginning and end of the academic year, a sample of N=198 first-year college students (Mage=18.1 y) provided dried blood spot (DBS) samples to estimate concentrations (in log2 mg/L) of six pro-inflammatory markers: interleukin (IL)-1 receptor agonist, IL-6, IL-8, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and TNF receptor type II. Participants also completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale to measure depressive symptoms at both timepoints. Regression models evaluated associations of financial stress and first-generation college status with baseline and longitudinal change in inflammation and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

We observed that students with greater financial stress and those who were first-generation college students had greater depressive symptoms (b=8.07, P=0.011; b=8.39, P<0.001) but not inflammation at the start of the academic year. Students with higher financial stress had a greater longitudinal increase in CRP (b=0 .72, P=0.001) across the academic year, but showed no changes in IL-6, IL-8, IL-1RA, TNF-α, or TNF-RII.

CONCLUSIONS

First-generation status and college financial stress are related to health challenges during the transition to college. Study findings warrant replication across diverse education environments and point to financial support as a potential target for facilitating healthy adjustment to college.

Role of Impulsivity in Explaining Social Gradient in Youth Tobacco Use Initiation: Does Race Matter?

Background

Socioeconomic status (SES) is traditionally viewed as a protective factor against impulsivity and subsequent tobacco use in youth. The prevailing model suggests that higher SES is associated with lower impulsivity, which in turn reduces the likelihood of future tobacco use. However, this pathway may not hold uniformly across racial groups due to differences in impulsivity and the phenomenon of Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs), where the protective effects of SES, such as educational attainment, tend to be weaker or even reversed for Black youth compared to their White counterparts.

Objectives

This study aims to examine the racial heterogeneity in the pathway from childhood SES to impulsivity and subsequent tobacco use initiation during adolescence, focusing on differences between Black and White youth.

Methods

Data were drawn from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, which includes a diverse sample of youth aged 9 to 16 years. The analysis examined the relationship between baseline family SES (age 9), impulsivity (age 9), and subsequent tobacco use (ages 9 to 16). Impulsivity was measured using the Urgency, Premeditation (lack of), Perseverance (lack of), Sensation Seeking, and Positive Urgency Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS-P). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed, with analyses stratified by race to explore potential differences in these associations.

Results

Overall, 6,161 non-Latino White and 1,775 non-Latino Black adolescents entered our analysis. In the full sample, higher family SES was linked to lower childhood impulsivity and, consequently, less tobacco uses in adolescence. However, racial differences emerged upon stratification. Among White youth, higher SES was associated with lower impulsivity, leading to reduced tobacco use, consistent with the expected model. In contrast, among Black youth, higher SES was not associated with lower impulsivity, thereby disrupting the protective effect of SES on tobacco use through this pathway. These findings suggest that racial heterogeneity exists in the SES-impulsivity-tobacco use pathway, aligning with the MDRs framework, which highlights how structural factors may weaken the protective effects of high SES among Black youth.

Conclusions

These findings underscore the importance of considering racial heterogeneity in the relationships between SES, impulsivity, and tobacco use. The observed disparities suggest a need for targeted interventions that address the unique challenges faced by Black youth, who may not experience the same protective benefits of high SES as their White peers. These results carry significant implications for public health strategies aimed at reducing tobacco use in racially diverse populations.

Extreme Heat Exposure and Adolescent Cognitive Function

Background

Extreme heat exposure is an increasing public health concern, particularly in the context of climate change. Limited research has explored its impact on children's cognitive outcomes. This study investigates the association between extreme heat exposure and cognitive function in 9-10-year-old children, using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Additionally, we assess whether this effect is independent of socio-demographic factors such as race, family socioeconomic status (SES), and neighborhood SES.

Methods

Data were drawn from the ABCD study, comprising over 10,000 children aged 9-10 years. Cognitive function was assessed through standardized cognitive tests, while extreme heat exposure was estimated using geographic and climate data. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the direct effects of heat exposure on cognitive outcomes and to account for potential confounding variables, including race, family SES, and neighborhood SES.

Results

Black families, low SES households, and children from low SES neighborhoods were disproportionately exposed to extreme heat. Extreme heat exposure was significantly associated with lower cognitive function in children, and this association remained robust even after adjusting for socio-demographic factors.

Conclusions

Extreme heat exposure is linked to diminished cognitive function in children, particularly among socio-economically disadvantaged and marginalized populations. Given the increasing frequency of extreme heat events due to climate change, future research should further explore these implications for children's cognitive outcomes. Policy interventions that improve access to cooling infrastructure, expand green spaces, and prioritize at-risk populations are critical to mitigating the adverse cognitive effects of extreme heat in low SES communities.

Income in Relation to Psychosocial Factors Among Stroke Survivors using Smartwatches for Atrial Fibrillation Monitoring

Background

Timely detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) is critical for stroke prevention. Smartwatches are FDA-approved devices that can now aide in this detection.

Objective

Investigate how socioeconomic status is associated with self-reported psychosocial outcomes, including anxiety, patient activation, and health-related quality of life in stroke survivors using smartwatch for AF detection.

Methods

We analyzed data from the Pulsewatch study, a randomized controlled trial (NCT03761394). Participants in the intervention group wore a cardiac patch monitor in addition to a smartwatch for AF detection, whereas the control group wore only the cardiac patch monitor. Generalized anxiety disorder-7 scale, Consumer Health Activation Index and short-form health survey were completed to assess anxiety, patient activation, physical and mental health status at baseline, 14, and 44 days. We used a longitudinal linear regression model to examine changes in psychosocial outcomes in low (<$50K) vs. high (>$50K) income groups.

Results

A total of 95 participants (average age 64.9± 9.1 years; 57.9% male; 89.5% non-Hispanic white) were included. History of renal disease (p-value 0.029), statin use (p-value 0.034), depression (p-value 0.004), and anxiety (p-value <0.001), were different between the income groups. In the adjusted model, the low-income group was associated with increased anxiety (β 2.75, p-value 0.0003), and decreased physical health status (β -5.07, p-value 0.02). There was no change identified in self-reported patient engagement and mental health status score.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that low SES is associated with worse self-reporting of physical health status, and this may influence psychosocial outcomes in smartwatch users.

Nucleus Accumbens Resting State Functional Connectivity is Linked to Family Income, Reward Salience, and Substance Use

Background

As a central component of the brain's reward system, nucleus accumbens (NAcc) plays a crucial role in reward salience and substance use behaviors. Changes in the NAcc are also relevant to higher rates of substance use of youth and adults from low-income backgrounds. Although resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the NAcc provides valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying reward processing and the propensity for self-reported reward salience and substance use, research exploring the association between NAcc rsFC and brain networks beyond the default mode network (DMN) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) is limited.

Objective

To investigate the role of the resting-state functional connectivity of the NAcc with the cingulo-opercular network, sensorimotor mouth network, and sensorimotor hand network in the association between socioeconomic status, self-reported reward salience, and future substance use.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. NAcc rsFC with the cingulo-opercular network, sensorimotor mouth network, and sensorimotor hand network was assessed at baseline. Socioeconomic status was measured using family income. Self-reported reward salience was assessed using validated psychometric scales. Substance use outcomes were tracked longitudinally over the study period. Structural Equation Modeling was employed to examine the covariances between family income, NAcc rsFC, reward salience, and subsequent substance use.

Results

Higher baseline family income was positively associated with baseline NAcc rsFC (B = 0.092, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with baseline reward salience (B = -0.040, p = 0.036) and future substance use (B = -0.081, p < 0.001). Baseline NAcc rsFC was strongly and positively associated with reward salience (B = 0.734, p < 0.001) and future substance use up to age 13 (B = 0.124, p < 0.001). Additionally, baseline reward salience was positively associated with future substance use (Covariance = 0.176, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that NAcc rsFC with brain networks beyond the DMN or PFC may contribute to the links between low parental socioeconomic status, reward salience, and substance use risk. Expanding the understanding of NAcc rsFC provides new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying these associations. These results have important implications for developing targeted interventions aimed at preventing substance use, particularly among low-income youth with heightened reward salience. Further research is needed to explore causal pathways and moderating factors influencing these relationships.