Abstract

Past research has identified a robust, monotonic relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and cardiac health. Psychosocial factors may contribute to SES-related gradients in cardiac health. The Reserve Capacity Model (RCM; Gallo & Matthews, 2003) is a framework for examining psychosocial pathways in cardiac health disparities on the SES gradient. The model posits that a lower SES experience leads to more environmental stressors and fewer psychosocial resources (e.g., reserve capacity) to cope with these stressors subsequently eroding health. A number of studies have used the RCM to explain SES-related disparities in cardiac health in Whites and Latinos; few examine the model in Blacks. The results indicate a relationship between SES, RC, and metabolic syndrome in older Black and White adults. The current study found that RC partially mediated the SES and metabolic syndrome relationship in all subjects, and both Black and White adults. This finding illustrates that reserve capacity operates similarly in older adults when facing the risks associated with current poverty.

LLU Discipline

Clinical Psychology

Department

Clinical Psychology

School

School of Behavioral Health

First Advisor

Morton, Kelly R.

Second Advisor

Betancourt, Hector

Third Advisor

Flynn, Patricia

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Level

M.A.

Year Degree Awarded

January 2012

Date (Title Page)

6-1-2012

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Heart; Cardiovascular System

Subject - Local

Cardiac Health; Socioeconomic Status; Cardiac Health - Psychosocial Factors; Reserve Capacity; Metabolic Syndrome Relationship; Poverty

Type

Thesis

Page Count

62 p.

Digital Format

Application/PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

Share

COinS