Coping, Stress, and Health Disparities in a Multi-Ethnic Sample
Author Information
Author(s): Jennifer M Watson, Henrietta L Logan, Scott L Tomar
Primary Institution: The University of Florida
Hypothesis
High active coping coupled with low socioeconomic status would predict low self-rated health in all ethnic groups.
Conclusion
Perceived stress is a critical component in understanding health outcomes for all ethnoracial groups, while active coping was associated only with oral health.
Supporting Evidence
- Active coping was associated with better oral health for Blacks.
- Higher perceived stress correlated with poorer general health for all ethnoracial groups.
- SES was directly related to general health for Hispanics and Whites but mediated by perceived stress.
Takeaway
This study found that feeling stressed can make people feel less healthy, and how people cope with stress can affect their oral health.
Methodology
Data were collected via telephone interviews and analyzed using multiple linear regression modeling.
Potential Biases
Self-reported measures may introduce bias, and other unmeasured psychological variables could influence results.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported data and lacked physiological measures of health.
Participant Demographics
The sample included 29% White, 47% Black, and 24% Hispanic participants, with a median age of 47.5 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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