Economic Stress and Cortisol Among Postpartum Low-Income Mexican American Women: Buffering Influence of Family Support

Behavioral Medicine
Shannon L JewellNancy A Gonzales

Abstract

Low-income Mexican American women experience significant health disparities during the postpartum period. Contextual stressors, such as economic stress, are theorized to affect health via dysregulated cortisol output. However, cultural protective factors including strong family support may buffer the impact of stress. In a sample of 322 low-income Mexican American women (mother age 18-42; 82% Spanish-speaking; modal family income $10,000-$15,000), we examined the interactive influence of economic stress and family support at 6 weeks postpartum on maternal cortisol output (AUCg) during a mildly challenging mother-infant interaction task at 12 weeks postpartum, controlling for 6-week maternal cortisol and depressive symptoms. The interaction significantly predicted cortisol output such that higher economic stress predicted higher cortisol only among women reporting low family support. These results suggest that family support is an important protective resource for postpartum Mexican American women experiencing elevated economic stress.

References

Jan 1, 1990·Journal of Psychosomatic Research·U EhlertD H Hellhammer
Jun 1, 1987·The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science·J L CoxR Sagovsky
Dec 1, 1993·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·N L CollinsS C Scrimshaw
Oct 1, 1996·Journal of Medical Systems·M S Sherraden, R E Barrera
Mar 21, 2000·American Journal of Community Psychology·L M SagrestanoC Dunkel-Schetter
Jun 8, 2000·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·P Björntorp, R Rosmond
May 22, 2002·Social Work·Maddy Cunningham, Luis H Zayas
May 24, 2003·Comprehensive Psychiatry·Miki BlochDavid R Rubinow
Jun 5, 2003·Journal of Affective Disorders·Lluïsa Garcia-EstevePuri Navarro
Oct 11, 2003·Journal of Transcultural Nursing : Official Journal of the Transcultural Nursing Society·Lucy Martinez-SchallmoserNancy J MacMullen
Dec 3, 2003·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·George Mastorakos, Ioannis Ilias
Jan 27, 2004·Health Care for Women International·MarySue HeilemannFelix Salvador Kury
Mar 24, 2005·Psychosomatic Medicine·Heather M BurkeNancy E Adler
Nov 12, 2005·Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing : JOGNN·Lucy Martinez-SchallmoserSharon Telleen
Dec 19, 2006·Biological Research for Nursing·Sandra N JolleyDarcy B Carr
Jan 5, 2007·Clinical Psychology Review·Brenda E HoganBahman Najarian
Feb 8, 2007·Journal of Health Psychology·Anita L StewartJennifer S Haas
Apr 23, 2008·Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology·Belinda CamposCurt A Sandman
Oct 13, 2009·Journal of Transcultural Nursing : Official Journal of the Transcultural Nursing Society·Xi ShengDeborah Perry
Feb 6, 2010·Women's Health Issues : Official Publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health·Deepika GoyalKathryn A Lee
Mar 6, 2010·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·Bruce S McEwen, Peter J Gianaros
Jul 21, 2010·The Journal of Early Adolescence·George P KnightKimberly A Updegraff
Jul 16, 2011·International Journal of Peptides·Curt A SandmanLaura M Glynn
Apr 2, 2013·Psychoneuroendocrinology·Elizabeth J CorwinBrian Stafford
Apr 18, 2013·Archives of Women's Mental Health·Jenna L Gress-SmithLinda J Luecken
Apr 19, 2013·The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·L ManenschijnE F C van Rossum
Oct 29, 2013·Psychosomatic Medicine·Gerald F GiesbrechtUNKNOWN APrON Study Team

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 24, 2020·Issues in Mental Health Nursing·Marzena KaźmierczakMartyna Czubkowska
Jun 13, 2021·Infant Behavior & Development·Andrea C Buhler-Wassmann, Leah C Hibel

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

MPlus

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.