Health for Hearts United Longitudinal Trial: Improving Perceived Stress and Allostatic Load Outcomes of Mid-Life and Older African American Women
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| Title: | Health for Hearts United Longitudinal Trial: Improving Perceived Stress and Allostatic Load Outcomes of Mid-Life and Older African American Women |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Charissa N. Obeng-Nyarko, Penny A. Ralston (ORCID |
| Source: | Health Education & Behavior. 2024 51(6):843-852. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 10 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) (DHHS/NIH) |
| Contract Number: | R24MD002807 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Heart Disorders, African Americans, Older Adults, Females, At Risk Persons, Racial Differences, Death, Program Effectiveness, Intervention, Stress Management, Church Role, Community Programs, Experience, Stress Variables, Individual Characteristics, Coping, Physiology |
| Geographic Terms: | Florida |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10901981241263027 |
| ISSN: | 1090-1981 1552-6127 |
| Abstract: | Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, with African Americans experiencing higher age-adjusted mortality compared to Whites. African American women in particular carry a high CVD burden due to more exposure to adverse personal and socioenvironmental challenges. Church-based interventions can improve health behaviors and health status of African Americans, yet few have addressed stress-related health. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the 18-month Health for Hearts United intervention in relation to stress-related outcomes (perceived stress, allostatic load) of mid-life and older African American women ([greater than or equal to]45 years of age; n = 152 overall sample, n = 65 clinical subsample). The results of the repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) analyses showed overall significant decreases in perceived stress and allostatic load for both treatment and comparison groups over the measurement occasions (baseline and 18 months) with educational level remaining as a significant correlate over time. There was no significant interaction between treatment and time, yet there were trends in improvements for the treatment group compared to the comparison group. The findings demonstrate the potential of church-based interventions in reducing both self-reported stress and allostatic load in African American women, and highlight the need for further investigation of educational level and other possible factors influencing stress management in these settings. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1449418 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, with African Americans experiencing higher age-adjusted mortality compared to Whites. African American women in particular carry a high CVD burden due to more exposure to adverse personal and socioenvironmental challenges. Church-based interventions can improve health behaviors and health status of African Americans, yet few have addressed stress-related health. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the 18-month Health for Hearts United intervention in relation to stress-related outcomes (perceived stress, allostatic load) of mid-life and older African American women ([greater than or equal to]45 years of age; n = 152 overall sample, n = 65 clinical subsample). The results of the repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) analyses showed overall significant decreases in perceived stress and allostatic load for both treatment and comparison groups over the measurement occasions (baseline and 18 months) with educational level remaining as a significant correlate over time. There was no significant interaction between treatment and time, yet there were trends in improvements for the treatment group compared to the comparison group. The findings demonstrate the potential of church-based interventions in reducing both self-reported stress and allostatic load in African American women, and highlight the need for further investigation of educational level and other possible factors influencing stress management in these settings. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1090-1981 1552-6127 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10901981241263027 |
