Abstract
Using a sample of 13,500 adolescents (53% female and 47% male) who participated in all four waves of the National Longitudinal
Study of Adolescent Health, this study used multilevel regression to examine the influence of early structural community adversity
(as measured by rates of community poverty, single-parent headed families, and two indicators of employment) and racial/ethnic
status on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors of young adults (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and
mean arterial pressure). The moderating role of youth’s socioeconomic attainment was also examined. Results indicate that
early community adversity and African American racial status place young adults at risk for CVD. Youth’s socioeconomic attainment
does not erase the persistent influences of early community adversity and African American racial status on CVD risk. However,
the level of education attained can protect African American young adults and those experiencing early community adversity
from CVD risk factors.
Study of Adolescent Health, this study used multilevel regression to examine the influence of early structural community adversity
(as measured by rates of community poverty, single-parent headed families, and two indicators of employment) and racial/ethnic
status on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors of young adults (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and
mean arterial pressure). The moderating role of youth’s socioeconomic attainment was also examined. Results indicate that
early community adversity and African American racial status place young adults at risk for CVD. Youth’s socioeconomic attainment
does not erase the persistent influences of early community adversity and African American racial status on CVD risk. However,
the level of education attained can protect African American young adults and those experiencing early community adversity
from CVD risk factors.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10900-011-9511-2
- Authors
- K. A. S. Wickrama, Department of Child and Family Development, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Catherine Walker O’Neal, Department of Child and Family Development, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Ryan E. Lott, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
- Journal Journal of Community Health
- Online ISSN 1573-3610
- Print ISSN 0094-5145