Cumulative socioeconomic status risk, allostatic load, and adjustment: a prospective latent profile analysis with contextual and genetic protective factors.
The health disparities literature has identified a common pattern among middle-aged African Americans that includes high rates of chronic disease along with low rates of psychiatric disorders despite exposure to high levels of cumulative socioeconomic status (SES) risk. The current study was designed to test hypotheses about the developmental precursors to this pattern. Hypotheses were tested with a representative sample of 443 African American youths living in the rural South. Cumulative SES risk and protective processes were assessed at ages 11-13 years; psychological adjustment was assessed at ages 14-18 years; genotyping at the 5-HTTLPR was conducted at age 16 years; and allostatic load (AL) was assessed at age 19 years. A latent profile analysis identified 5 profiles that evinced distinct patterns of SES risk, AL, and psychological adjustment, with 2 relatively large profiles designated as focal profiles: a physical health vulnerability profile characterized by high SES risk/high AL/low adjustment problems, and a resilient profile characterized by high SES risk/low AL/low adjustment problems. The physical health vulnerability profile mirrored the pattern found in the adult health disparities literature. Multinomial logistic regression analyses indicated that carrying an s allele at the 5-HTTLPR and receiving less peer support distinguished the physical health vulnerability profile from the resilient profile. Protective parenting and planful self-regulation distinguished both focal profiles from the other 3 profiles. The results suggest the public health importance of preventive interventions that enhance coping and reduce the effects of stress across childhood and adolescence.
Institute for Behavioral Research, Center for Family Research, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-4527, USA. gbrody@uga.edu
Gene H
GH
Brody
Tianyi
T
Yu
Yi-fu
YF
Chen
Steven M
SM
Kogan
Gary W
GW
Evans
Steven R H
SR
Beach
Michael
M
Windle
Ronald L
RL
Simons
Meg
M
Gerrard
Frederick X
FX
Gibbons
Robert A
RA
Philibert
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D052636:Allostasis / Q000235:genetics*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult
C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins