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01-08-2012 | Brief Report

Associations Between Socioeconomic Status and Catecholamine Levels Vary by Acculturation Status in Mexican-American Women

Authors: Jessica A. Jiménez, M.A., Smriti Shivpuri, M.S., Karla Espinosa de los Monteros, Ph.D., Karen A. Matthews, Ph.D., Paul J. Mills, Ph.D., Linda C. Gallo, Ph.D.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 1/2012

Abstract

Background

Lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with poorer health, possibly through activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the association between SES and catecholamine levels, and variations by acculturation.

Methods

Three hundred one Mexican-American women underwent examination with a 12-h urine collection. Analyses tested associations of SES, acculturation (language and nativity), and their interaction with norepinephrine (NOREPI) and epinephrine (EPI).

Results

No main effects for SES or the acculturation indicators emerged. Fully adjusted models revealed a significant SES by language interaction for NOREPI (p < .01) and EPI (p < .05), and a SES by nativity interaction approached significance for NOREPI (p = .05). Simple slope analyses revealed that higher SES related to lower catecholamine levels in Spanish-speaking women, and higher NOREPI in English-speaking women. Although nonsignificant, similar patterns were observed for nativity.

Conclusions

Associations between SES and catecholamines may vary by acculturation, and cultural factors should be considered when examining SES health effects in Hispanics.

We thank an anonymous reviewer for the suggestion of controlling for perceived stress as a potential confounder. Analyzing the data including a measure of overall perception of stress burden within the past 30 days [26] as a covariate did not substantively change results; consequently, for parsimony, these analyses are not presented.

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Title: Associations Between Socioeconomic Status and Catecholamine Levels Vary by Acculturation Status in Mexican-American Women
Authors: Jessica A. Jiménez, M.A.
Smriti Shivpuri, M.S.
Karla Espinosa de los Monteros, Ph.D.
Karen A. Matthews, Ph.D.
Paul J. Mills, Ph.D.
Linda C. Gallo, Ph.D.
Publication date: 01-08-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9365-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Associations Between Socioeconomic Status and Catecholamine Levels Vary by Acculturation Status in Mexican-American Women

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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