Neighborhood Characteristics and Inflammation Among Older Black Americans: The Moderating Effects of Hopelessness and Pessimism. Issue 2 (25th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nguyen, Ann W; Taylor, Harry Owen; Lincoln, Karen D; Qin, Weidi; Hamler, Tyrone; Wang, Fei; Mitchell, Uchechi A
• Editors: Newman, Anne B
• Is Part Of: Journals of gerontology. Volume 77:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 315
• Page End: 322
• Publication Date: 2021-02-25
• Subjects: Cognitive disposition -- C-reactive protein -- Neighborhood physical disadvantage -- Neighborhood social cohesion; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glab121
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1079-5006

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Research documents the adverse health effects of systemic inflammation. Overall, older Black Americans tend to have higher inflammation than older non-Hispanic White adults. Given that inflammation is related to a range of chronic health problems that disproportionately affect Blacks compared to Whites, this racial disparity in inflammation may contribute to racial disparities in particular chronic health problems. Thus, a better understanding of its determinants in the older Black population is of critical importance. This analysis examined the association between neighborhood characteristics and inflammation in a national sample of older non-Hispanic Black Americans. An additional aim of this study was to determine whether hopelessness and pessimism moderate the association between neighborhood characteristics and inflammation. Methods: A sample of older non-Hispanic Black Americans aged 60+ were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study ( N = 1004). Neighborhood characteristics included neighborhood physical disadvantage and neighborhood social cohesion. Inflammation was assessed by C-reactive protein. Results: The analyses indicated that neighborhood physical disadvantage and social cohesion were not associated with C-reactive protein. Hopelessness and pessimism moderated the association between neighborhood physical disadvantage and C-reactive protein. Conclusions: Knowledge regarding the role of hopelessness and pessimism as moderator in the neighborhood–inflammation association can inform cognitive-behavioral interventions targeted at changes in cognition patterns.