Abstract
Background
Subjective social status (SSS) predicts health outcomes independently of traditional, objective indicators of socioeconomic
status (SES). However, the potential confounding and mediating effects of negative affect and similar psychosocial risk and
resilience factors have not been adequately addressed through formal studies of convergent and discriminant validity of SSS
measures.
status (SES). However, the potential confounding and mediating effects of negative affect and similar psychosocial risk and
resilience factors have not been adequately addressed through formal studies of convergent and discriminant validity of SSS
measures.
Methods
We examined the convergent and discriminant validity of the MacArthur scales of SSS relative to measures of psychosocial risk
and resilience (i.e., neuroticism, depressive symptoms, optimism, and marital quality) as well as SES (i.e., income) in 300
middle-aged and older married US couples. We also tested a factor of psychosocial vulnerability as a mediator of the relationship
between SSS and self-rated health.
and resilience (i.e., neuroticism, depressive symptoms, optimism, and marital quality) as well as SES (i.e., income) in 300
middle-aged and older married US couples. We also tested a factor of psychosocial vulnerability as a mediator of the relationship
between SSS and self-rated health.
Results
Findings indicated clear convergent and discriminant validity of the MacArthur scales. Further, controlling age and income,
both the US and community measures of SSS predicted psychosocial factors for men, however, only the community measure was
independently predictive for women. Psychosocial vulnerability significantly mediated the pathway between SSS and self-rated
health for men and women after controlling age and income.
both the US and community measures of SSS predicted psychosocial factors for men, however, only the community measure was
independently predictive for women. Psychosocial vulnerability significantly mediated the pathway between SSS and self-rated
health for men and women after controlling age and income.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s12529-011-9206-1
- Authors
- Jenny M. Cundiff, Department of Psychology, University of Utah, 380 South 1530 East, Room 502, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Timothy W. Smith, Department of Psychology, University of Utah, 380 South 1530 East, Room 502, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Bert N. Uchino, Department of Psychology, University of Utah, 380 South 1530 East, Room 502, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Cynthia A. Berg, Department of Psychology, University of Utah, 380 South 1530 East, Room 502, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Journal International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1532-7558
- Print ISSN 1070-5503