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Associations Between Socioeconomic Status and Catecholamine Levels Vary by Acculturation Status in Mexican-American Women

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with poorer health, possibly through activation of the sympathetic nervous system. PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the association between SES and catecholamine levels, and variations by acculturation. METHODS: Three hundred one Mexican-American women underwent examination with a 12-h urine collection. Analyses tested associations of SES, acculturation (language and nativity), and their interaction with norepinephrine (NOREPI) and epinephrine (EPI). RESULTS: No main effects for SES or the acculturation indicators emerged. Fully adjusted models revealed a significant SES by language interaction for NOREPI (p< .01) and EPI (p< .05), and a SES by nativity interaction approached significance for NOREPI (p= .05). Simple slope analyses revealed that higher SES related to lower catecholamine levels in Spanish-speaking women, and higher NOREPI in English-speaking women. Although nonsignificant, similar patterns were observed for nativity. CONCLUSIONS: Associations between SES and catecholamines may vary by acculturation, and cultural factors should be considered when examining SES health effects in Hispanics.

Source: Annals of Behavioral Medicine

DOI: 10.1007/s12160-012-9365-6

Authors: Jessica A. Jiménez, Smriti Shivpuri, Karla Espinosa de los Monteros, Karen A. Matthews, Paul J. Mills, Linda C. Gallo

Institutions: San Diego State University, University of California San Diego, University of Pittsburgh

Language: English

Topic: Health disparities and outcomes

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute