Evaluating the Effects of Coping Style on Allostatic Load, by Sex: The Jackson Heart Study, 2000–2004

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the cross-sectional association between coping styles and allostatic load among African American adults in the Jackson Heart Study (2000–2004). Coping styles were assessed using the Coping Strategies Inventory-Short Form; allostatic load was measured by using 9 biomarkers standardized into z-scores. Sex-stratified multivariable linear regressions indicated that females who used disengagement coping styles had significantly higher allostatic load scores (β = 0.016; 95% CI, 0.001–0.032); no such associations were found in males. Future longitudinal investigations should examine why disengagement coping style is linked to increased allostatic load to better inform effective interventions and reduce health disparities among African American women.

Stress and Achievement of Cardiovascular Health Metrics: The American Heart Association Life's Simple 7 in Blacks of the Jackson Heart Study

“…Our findings support, at a minimum, the recognition of and screening for psychosocial stress by clinicians to develop more effective, culturally sensitive lifestyle‐management plans, viewed from the social construct lens of this population, to mitigate CVH disparities . To shift the CVH of blacks toward the AHA 2020 goals, interventions endorsing positive psychological well‐being (eg, positive emotions and appraisal, social support, and active coping) are warranted to address modifiable barriers to CVH …”

“…62,63 To shift the CVH of blacks toward the AHA 2020 goals, interventions endorsing positive psychological well-being (eg, positive emotions and appraisal, social support, and active coping) are warranted to address modifiable barriers to CVH. 10,[64][65][66][67] Practical approaches, including psychosocial interventions incorporating mindfulness, optimism, and resiliency for stress reduction and promotion of healthy behavior in a culturally informed manner, are paramount to producing CVH benefits to at-risk subgroups. 4,10,49 Viewed from a contrasting perspective, better ideal CVH is associated with decreased psychological distress and positive mental health outcomes; thus, these approaches seem harmonious for patients and may enhance adherence to recommended therapies.…”

Allostatic load and biological anthropology

“…Stressful early life experiences may negatively impact the developing HPA axis, altering responsiveness toward over-or underactivity as well as reducing resilience (Lupien et al, 2006;McEwen, 1998bMcEwen, , 2003McEwen, , 2012McEwen & Seeman, 1999). By producing life-long dysregulation of stress responses (Lupien et al, 2006;McEwen, 1998bMcEwen, , 2000aMcEwen, , 2000bMcEwen, , 2001McEwen, , 2003McEwen, , 2012 load associates significantly with greater perceived stress (Goldman et al, 2005), hostility (Kubzansky, Kawachi, & Sparrow, 1999;Seeman et al, 2002), poor coping skills (Fernandez et al, 2015), and lack of purpose in life (Zilioli et al, 2015). Conversely, those with more integrated social networks and/or greater perceived social support appear to be protected against damaging after effects of stressors and dysregulation of allostasis (Bovard, 1985;Cohen & Wills, 1985;Goldman et al, 2005; Holt-Lunstad, Smith, & Layton, 2010;Horan & Widom, 2015;Hostinar, Sullivan, & Gunnar, 2014;House, Landis, & Umberson, 1988;Levine, Coe, & Wiener, 1989;McEwen, 2012;Seeman, 1996;Seeman et al, 1994Seeman et al, , 2002Seeman, Glei, et al, 2004;Seeman & McEwen, 1996;Smith & Christakis, 2008;Uchino, 2006;Uchino, Cacioppo, & Kiecolt-Gla...…”

“…Sex differences in ALIs also are reported, but are sample dependent. Some studies report men having significantly higher allostatic load than women (Fernandez et al, 2015;Gale et al, 2015;Mattei et al, 2010;Robertson & Watts, 2016;Schnorpfeil et al, 2003), while others report women having significantly higher allostatic load than men (Crews, 2007;Kusano et al, 2016;Seeman et al, 2014). Theoretically, stressful experiences directly increase allostatic load (Goldman, Glei, Seplaki, Liu, & Weinstein, 2005;Seeman et al, 2010).…”

“…,Schnorpfeil et al (2003),Weinstein et al (2003),Hampson et al (2009),Lipowicz et al (2014),Riva et al (2014),Barboza Solís et al (2015),Gale et al (2015),Horan and Widom (2015),McClure et al (2015),Zilioli et al (2015),Hansen et al (2016),Kusano et al (2016), andRobertson and Watts (2016) Cut-points defined by decilesGoldman et al (2005),Glei et al (2007), andHwang et al (2014) Cut-points defined using clinical criteriaSeeman et al (2008), Hampson et al (2009), Bird et al (2010) and Rosenberg et al (2014) Cut-points defined using a combination of clinical criteria and either deciles or quartiles Crimmins et al (2003), Mattei et al (2010), Ar evalo et al (2014), Dich et al (2015b), and Gay et al (2015) Allostatic load adjusted for medication use Hampson et al (2009), Mattei et al (2010), Ar evalo et al (2014), Robertson et al (2014), Doamekpor and Dinwiddie(2015),Gale et al (2015), andRobertson and Watts (2016) Use of two-tailed cut-pointsHampson et al (2009) andHwang et al (2014) Use of recursive partitioning to calculate allostatic loadGruenewald et al (2006) Allostatic load scored by system rather than by biomarkersKarlamangla et al (2014),Seeman et al (2014),Gay et al (2015), andZilioli et al (2015) Calculated allostatic load using z-scoresKobrosly et al (2014),Vie et al (2014), andFernandez et al (2015) Divided allostatic load into "high" versus "low" for analyses (definitions of high and low vary by study)Kubzansky et al (1999),Riva et al (2014),Rosenberg et al (2014),Doamekpor and Dinwiddie (2015), andGay et al (2015) Used sex-specifi...…”