Julie Ober Allen1, Daphne C Watkins2, Linda Chatters3, Vicki Johnson-Lawrence4. 1. Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson Street, 2411 ISR, Ann Arbor, MI, 48106-1248, USA. joallen@umich.edu. 2. School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1106, USA. 3. Schools of Social Work and Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA. 4. Division of Public Health, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, 200 E. 1st Street, Flint, MI, 48502, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Blunted patterns of daily cortisol, an indicator of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis stress response system dysregulation, are implicated in poor health outcomes and racial health disparities. It is unknown how coping-an important, but understudied, component of the stress-health disparities relationship-relates to these biological mechanisms of health. METHODS: This study investigated relationships, including racial differences, between 12 coping strategies and early-day cortisol changes (diurnal cortisol slopes from peak to before lunch) among 700 35-85-year-old Black and White male participants in the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) II. Cognitive-oriented (e.g., positive reinterpretation, denial, religious/spiritual) and behavioral (e.g., stress eating, substance use) coping strategies were examined. RESULTS: Overall, Black and White men used similar coping strategies. Most coping strategies were not associated with men's cortisol slopes. Religious/spiritual coping was associated with steeper (more robust) cortisol slopes among White (b = - 0.004, t = - 3.28, p = 0.001) but not Black men. Drug use was associated with steeper cortisol slopes among Black (b = - 0.095, t = - 2.87, p = 0.004) but not White men. CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory study increases our understanding of relationships between coping and stress-related biological mechanisms underlying racial health disparities among men in later life. With some notable exceptions, men's coping strategies were not associated with their diurnal cortisol slopes. This suggests that the coping strategies currently used by older Black and White men may not be important factors, as determinants or intervention targets, in disparities in diurnal cortisol slopes and associated health outcomes among men in this age group.
OBJECTIVE: Blunted patterns of daily cortisol, an indicator of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis stress response system dysregulation, are implicated in poor health outcomes and racial health disparities. It is unknown how coping-an important, but understudied, component of the stress-health disparities relationship-relates to these biological mechanisms of health. METHODS: This study investigated relationships, including racial differences, between 12 coping strategies and early-day cortisol changes (diurnal cortisol slopes from peak to before lunch) among 700 35-85-year-old Black and White male participants in the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) II. Cognitive-oriented (e.g., positive reinterpretation, denial, religious/spiritual) and behavioral (e.g., stress eating, substance use) coping strategies were examined. RESULTS: Overall, Black and White men used similar coping strategies. Most coping strategies were not associated with men's cortisol slopes. Religious/spiritual coping was associated with steeper (more robust) cortisol slopes among White (b = - 0.004, t = - 3.28, p = 0.001) but not Black men. Drug use was associated with steeper cortisol slopes among Black (b = - 0.095, t = - 2.87, p = 0.004) but not White men. CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory study increases our understanding of relationships between coping and stress-related biological mechanisms underlying racial health disparities among men in later life. With some notable exceptions, men's coping strategies were not associated with their diurnal cortisol slopes. This suggests that the coping strategies currently used by older Black and White men may not be important factors, as determinants or intervention targets, in disparities in diurnal cortisol slopes and associated health outcomes among men in this age group.
Entities:
Keywords:
African Americans; Coping behaviors; Coping skills; Cortisol; Health status disparities; Men’s health
Authors: Emma K Adam; Meghan E Quinn; Royette Tavernier; Mollie T McQuillan; Katie A Dahlke; Kirsten E Gilbert Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology Date: 2017-05-24 Impact factor: 4.905