History of unemployment predicts future elevations in C-reactive protein among male participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study.
BACKGROUND
Unemployment is associated with risk of future morbidity and premature mortality.


OBJECTIVE
To examine whether unemployment history predicts future C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in male participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study.


METHODS
Unemployment, body mass index (BMI), and health behaviors were measured at 7, 10, and 15 years post-recruitment. CRP was measured at Years 7 and 15.


RESULTS
Having a history of unemployment at Year 10 was associated with higher CRP at Year 15, independent of age, race, BMI, Year 7 CRP, Year 15 unemployment, and average income across Years 10-15. Poor health practices and depressive symptoms explained 22% of the association, but Year 10 unemployment history remained a significant predictor. Findings did not differ across age, race, education, or income.


CONCLUSIONS
Discrete episodes of unemployment may have long-term implications for future CRP levels.
Janicki-Deverts
Denise
D
Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. djanicki@andrew.cmu.edu
Cohen
Sheldon
S
Matthews
Karen A
KA
Cullen
Mark R
MR
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D014478:Unemployment / Q000523:psychology*; D044465:White People
D002097:C-Reactive Protein