Racial differences in arthritis-related stress, chronic life stress, and depressive symptoms among women with arthritis: A contextual perspective

Abstract

This study examined the effects of arthritis-related stress and chronic life stress on depressive symptoms among African Americans and Whites with arthritis. Methods. Participants included 175 African American and White women (aged 45-90) who completed structured questionnaires assessing arthritis-related stress (i.e., pain, functional impairment, perceived stress), chronic life stress (i.e., discrimination, financial stress, life stressors), and well-being (i.e., depressive symptoms). Results. African Americans reported more functional impairment and lower perceived arthritis stress, but more life stressors, financial stress, and discrimination, than Whites. Arthritis-related stress accounted for similar proportions of variance in depressive symptoms across African Americans (ΔR2 = .16, p < .001) and Whites (ΔR2 = .24, p < .001). However, chronic life stressors explained significantly more variance among African Americans (ΔR 2 = .20, p < .001, vs ΔR2 = .06, p < .05). Discussion. Findings demonstrate the importance of considering contextual factors influencing women's health and well-being, particularly for those women with a chronic illness, including arthritis. Although arthritis-related stressors may be the predominant factors affecting well-being for Whites with arthritis, well-being in African Americans with arthritis is also closely tied to broader life stressors. Results suggest the importance of looking beyond illness-specific stressors when studying aging and health. Copyright 2008 by The Geronlological Society of America.