Financial strain and self-rated health among Black adults

Elaine J Savoy; Lorraine R Reitzel; Nga Nguyen; Pragati S Advani; Felicia D Fisher; David W Wetter; Adolfo G Cuevas; Lorna H McNeill

doi:10.5993/AJHB.38.3.3

Financial strain and self-rated health among Black adults

Am J Health Behav. 2014 May;38(3):340-50. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.38.3.3.

Authors

Elaine J Savoy¹, Lorraine R Reitzel², Nga Nguyen³, Pragati S Advani⁴, Felicia D Fisher⁵, David W Wetter⁶, Adolfo G Cuevas⁷, Lorna H McNeill⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
² Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA. Lrreitzel@uh.edu.
³ Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
⁴ Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas School of Public Health, USA.
⁵ Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
⁶ Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
⁷ Department of Psychology, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA.

Abstract

Objectives: To explore associations between financial strain and self-rated health among 1341 black adults.

Methods: Associations were investigated using a covariate-adjusted linear regression model. Mediation (via stress and/or depressive symptoms) was explored in additional models using a nonparametric bootstrapping procedure.

Results: Higher financial strain was associated with poorer self-rated health (p < .001). Stress and depressive symptoms were each significant mediators of this relation in both single and multiple mediator models (p values < .05).

Conclusions: Financial strain may contribute to poorer health among black adults, partially via greater stress and depressive symptoms. Potential theoretical, intervention, and policy implications are discussed. Future studies with longitudinal designs are needed to confirm these results.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Black or African American* / psychology
Confidence Intervals
Depression / physiopathology
Diagnostic Self Evaluation*
Female
Health Status*
Humans
Linear Models
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Middle Aged
Self Report
Social Class*
Stress, Psychological
Surveys and Questionnaires

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding