Linking Life Dissatisfaction to Health Behaviors of Older African Americans Through Psychological Competency and Vulnerability

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of life dissatisfaction on health behaviors of older African Americans and the linking role of psychological competency (e.g., control and agency) and psychological vulnerability (e.g., negative affect). A structural equation model using baseline data from a larger intervention study of older African Americans was examined. Respondents included 207 (153 females and 54 males with a median age of 60) older African Americans. Life dissatisfaction was directly associated with respondents’ daily fat consumption and sleep and indirectly associated with receiving regular physical exams, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption through their psychological processes. The association between life dissatisfaction and respondents’ health behaviors varied depending on the behavior under consideration. Programs and services designed to improve older African Americans’ health behaviors should address their psychological processes, as this research suggests these psychological processes are associated with different health behaviors.

Antioxidant intake in relation to serum C-reactive protein in mid-life and older African Americans

“…However, caution must be taken in the interpretation of this finding because several factors, other than gender and racial/ethnic group, play a significant role in the development of obesity and chronic inflammation. Factors such as high perceived stress (Wickrama 2013), lower life satisfaction (Mendez 2018), socioeconomic status, and environmental context all play a part in inflammatory status and risk for chronic disease (Slopen 2010). Moreover, given the cross-sectional design of our study, we cannot infer the causation of the relationship between BMI or dietary intake with serum CRP levels.…”

Health insurance status, psychological processes, and older African Americans’ use of preventive care

“…This conceptualization is supported by research that has shown that psychological competency and vulnerability have different health consequences and unique antecedents (Kobau et al, 2011; Noh et al, 2007; Wickrama et al, 2012a). For example, Wickrama et al (2012c) have shown that stressful economic circumstances directly contribute to individuals’ negative depressed feelings and at the same time erode his or her positive feelings of self.…”

Lower life satisfaction, active coping and cardiovascular disease risk factors in older African Americans: outcomes of a longitudinal church-based intervention

“…LLS was measured using four reverse coded items of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al, 1985) (i.e., “In most ways my life is close to ideal,” “The conditions of my life are excellent”, “So far I have gotten the important things I want in life”, and “I am satisfied with my life”) with 7-point-Likert-type responses (uncoded) ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 7 = strongly agree (internal consistency α = .86). Higher scores indicate lower life satisfaction (Wickrama et al, 2012a).…”

“…This health influence may largely operate through psychological and behavioral mechanisms. For instance, previous research has documented the relationship between lower life satisfaction and unhealthy behaviors in African American population (Wickrama et al, 2012a, 2012b). Further, studies conducted with Caucasian and mixed-race populations have established a link between overweight/obesity (i.e., body mass index and waist/hip ratio) and mental health indicators including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and lower life satisfaction (Kuroki, 2016; Rosmond & Bjorntorp, 1998; Rosmond et al, 1996).…”

“…With regard to the relationship of LLS and CVD risk factors, studies using African American populations have shown a linkage between LLS and unhealthy behaviors such as poor diets, physical inactivity, and insufficient sleep (Wickrama et al, 2012a, 2012b) which are related to the incidence of hypertension and overweight/obesity (Benjamin et al, 2017).…”