Title: Acculturation, Inflammation, and Depression Among Hispanic Adults in the United States
Abstract: Acculturation, Inflammation, and Depression Among Hispanic Adults in the United States by Kristin Marie Marano MPH, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2002 MS, Emory University, 1997 BS, Lehigh University, 1994 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University February 2016 Abstract Disparities exist in the recognition and treatment of depression among Hispanics in the United States, creating a social, ethical, economic, and public health burden. This study was designed to generate an improved understanding of the causes of and/or contributors to depression within this population. It was specifically designed to 1) assess the prevalence and severity of depression among Hispanic adults in the United States relative to adults of other race/ethnicities in the United States; 2) clarify the inconsistent results in the literature concerning the relationship between acculturation and depression among Hispanic adults in the United States; and 3) fill a gap in the literature by evaluating the potential for inflammation to mediate the relationship between acculturation and depression among Hispanic adults in the United States. The biopsychosocial model was used as a theoretical foundation for this study. Data from the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed descriptively and via logistic regression. Findings confirmed higher prevalence of depression among Hispanic adults compared with non-Hispanic White adults, and that a lower degree of acculturation was consistently associated with a decreased likelihood of depression among Hispanics. No mediating effect of inflammation on the relationship between acculturation andDisparities exist in the recognition and treatment of depression among Hispanics in the United States, creating a social, ethical, economic, and public health burden. This study was designed to generate an improved understanding of the causes of and/or contributors to depression within this population. It was specifically designed to 1) assess the prevalence and severity of depression among Hispanic adults in the United States relative to adults of other race/ethnicities in the United States; 2) clarify the inconsistent results in the literature concerning the relationship between acculturation and depression among Hispanic adults in the United States; and 3) fill a gap in the literature by evaluating the potential for inflammation to mediate the relationship between acculturation and depression among Hispanic adults in the United States. The biopsychosocial model was used as a theoretical foundation for this study. Data from the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed descriptively and via logistic regression. Findings confirmed higher prevalence of depression among Hispanic adults compared with non-Hispanic White adults, and that a lower degree of acculturation was consistently associated with a decreased likelihood of depression among Hispanics. No mediating effect of inflammation on the relationship between acculturation and depression was observed. The findings from this study are intended for use by health care providers, health educators, and public health practitioners to improve depression prevention, diagnosis, and treatment opportunities within this population and to accordingly to affect positive social change. Acculturation, Inflammation, and Depression Among Hispanic Adults in the United States by Kristin Marie Marano MPH, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2002 MS, Emory University, 1997 BS, Lehigh University, 1994 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University February 2016 Dedication In memory of my mother, Nancy Laine Marano (1946-2011) And for my father, John Paul Marano, Jr. (1942) With much gratitude and love. Acknowledgments Many thanks to Reynolds American, Incorporated, and specifically, RAI Services Company, Department of Regulatory Oversight. Particular appreciation goes to Dr. James E. Swauger and Dr. Geoffrey M. Curtin. Thank you to Walden University, in particular the College of Health Sciences and Dr. Loretta Cain, Dr. Wen-Hung Kuo, and Dr. Amy Thompson. Thank you to all those who kept asking “how’s school,” “how is your dissertation,” and “are you done yet?” These individuals and these questions kept me inspired, focused, and cheered. Much gratitude to my family, John P. Marano, Lauren A. Marano, Annie C. Potts, Ellie J. Potts, Ryan J. Potts, Griffin T. Wells, Sebastien B. Wells, and Scott T. Wells. Thank you for listening, making me laugh, opening my eyes, and for just being you. The successes in each of you are truly inspirational. Indebted thanks to Ryan J. Potts for unconditional love, unending reinforcement, and enduring encouragement and patience. This surely would not have happened without each and all of the above support. Table of
Publication Year: 2016
Publication Date: 2016-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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