This cross-sectional study explored the associations between spiritual transcendence (ST)—prayer/meditation fulfillment, connectedness, and universality— and the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 (LS7), and if variations across and within racial and socioeconomic groups emerged.
Methods:
Data were taken from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study and included 1110 midlife and older African American and white adults [mean (SD) age=56.13 (8.91) y; 65.0% above poverty; 78.1% ≥high school education]. ST was self-reported. LS7 comprised physical activity, smoking, diet, body mass index, cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure. Higher LS7 reflects better cardiovascular health (CVH). Multiple linear regression estimated associations between ST and LS7. A 3-way interaction term (ST, race, and either education or poverty status) was included in models adjusted for sex and age.
Results:
A 3-way interaction was observed for ST, race, and poverty status (b=1.29, SE=0.35, p<.001 simple slopes showed a positive association for white adults living above poverty only se="0.15," p exploratory analyses found nonlinear interactive effect including st race and age u-shaped b="0.04," both lesser greater were associated with higher ls7 older african american exclusively conclusions: although spirituality was overall cvh it not beneficial everyone equally. if tailored appropriately the integration of into care practices may promote better cvh. abbreviations: aaafrican heart mass index pressure disease health aging in neighborhoods diversity across life span stress disorder status transcendence>