Abstract
Stress is a hypothesized pathway in socioeconomic status (SES)-physical health associations, but the available empirical data
are inconsistent. In part, this may reflect discrepancies in the approach to measuring stress across studies, and differences
in the nature of SES-stress associations across demographic groups. We examined associations of SES (education, income) with
general and domain-specific chronic stressors, stressful life events, perceived stress, and stressful daily experiences in
318 Mexican–American women (40–65 years old). Women with higher SES reported lower perceived stress and fewer low-control
experiences in everyday life (ps < .05), but greater chronic stress (education only, p < .05). Domain-specific analyses showed negative associations of income with chronic housing and financial stress (ps < .05), but positive associations of SES with chronic work and caregiving stress (all ps < .05 except for income and caregiving stress, p < .10). Sensitivity analyses showed that most SES-stress associations were consistent across acculturation levels. Future
research should adopt a multi-dimensional assessment approach to better understand links among SES, stress, and physical health,
and should consider the sociodemographic context in conceptualizing the role of stress in SES-related health inequalities.
are inconsistent. In part, this may reflect discrepancies in the approach to measuring stress across studies, and differences
in the nature of SES-stress associations across demographic groups. We examined associations of SES (education, income) with
general and domain-specific chronic stressors, stressful life events, perceived stress, and stressful daily experiences in
318 Mexican–American women (40–65 years old). Women with higher SES reported lower perceived stress and fewer low-control
experiences in everyday life (ps < .05), but greater chronic stress (education only, p < .05). Domain-specific analyses showed negative associations of income with chronic housing and financial stress (ps < .05), but positive associations of SES with chronic work and caregiving stress (all ps < .05 except for income and caregiving stress, p < .10). Sensitivity analyses showed that most SES-stress associations were consistent across acculturation levels. Future
research should adopt a multi-dimensional assessment approach to better understand links among SES, stress, and physical health,
and should consider the sociodemographic context in conceptualizing the role of stress in SES-related health inequalities.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10865-012-9432-2
- Authors
- Linda C. Gallo, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, 9245 Sky Park Court Suite 105, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
- Smriti Shivpuri, SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, 9245 Sky Park Court Suite 105, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
- Patricia Gonzalez, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 9245 Sky Park Court Suite 105, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
- Addie L. Fortmann, SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, 9245 Sky Park Court Suite 105, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
- Karla Espinosa de los Monteros, SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, 9245 Sky Park Court Suite 105, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
- Scott C. Roesch, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, 9245 Sky Park Court Suite 105, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
- Gregory A. Talavera, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 9245 Sky Park Court Suite 110, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
- Karen A. Matthews, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Journal Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1573-3521
- Print ISSN 0160-7715