Jenny M Cundiff1, Thomas W Kamarck2, Stephen B Manuck2. 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA. jennycundiff@gmail.com. 2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic position is a well-established risk factor for poor physical health. PURPOSE: This study examines whether the effects of lower social rank on physical health may be accounted for by differences in daily social experience. METHODS: In a large community sample (N = 475), we examined whether subjective social rank is associated with self-rated health, in part, through positive and negative perceptions of daily interpersonal interactions, assessed using ecological momentary assessment. RESULTS: Higher social rank was associated with higher average perceived positivity of social interactions in daily life (e.g., B = .18, p < .001), but not with perceived negativity of social interactions. Further, the association between social rank and self-rated physical health was partially accounted for by differences in perceived positivity of social interactions. This effect was independent of well-characterized objective markers of SES and personality traits. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the quality of day-to-day social interactions is a viable pathway linking lower social rank to poorer physical health.
BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic position is a well-established risk factor for poor physical health. PURPOSE: This study examines whether the effects of lower social rank on physical health may be accounted for by differences in daily social experience. METHODS: In a large community sample (N = 475), we examined whether subjective social rank is associated with self-rated health, in part, through positive and negative perceptions of daily interpersonal interactions, assessed using ecological momentary assessment. RESULTS: Higher social rank was associated with higher average perceived positivity of social interactions in daily life (e.g., B = .18, p < .001), but not with perceived negativity of social interactions. Further, the association between social rank and self-rated physical health was partially accounted for by differences in perceived positivity of social interactions. This effect was independent of well-characterized objective markers of SES and personality traits. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the quality of day-to-day social interactions is a viable pathway linking lower social rank to poorer physical health.
Entities:
Keywords:
Ecological momentary assessment; Physical health; Social interactions; Socioeconomic position; Socioeconomic status
Authors: Robin Haring; You-Shan Feng; Jörn Moock; Henry Völzke; Marcus Dörr; Matthias Nauck; Henri Wallaschofski; Thomas Kohlmann Journal: BMC Med Res Methodol Date: 2011-07-12 Impact factor: 4.615