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The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visible perivascular space (PVS) reportedly clears amyloid-β and metabolic waste during sleep. Previous studies reported an association between sleep and the PVS in small vessel disease, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's disease. However, this relationship in a healthy cohort is still unclear. Here, we used the Human Connectome Project Aging dataset to analyze the relationship between sleep and the PVS in cognitively healthy adults across the aging continuum. We measured sleep parameters using the self-reported Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. We found that older adults who had better sleep quality and sleep efficiency presented with a larger PVS volume fraction in the basal ganglia (BG). However, sleep measures were not associated with PVS volume fraction in the centrum semiovale (CSO). In addition, we found that body mass index (BMI) influenced the BG-PVS across middle-aged and older participants. In the entire cognitively healthy cohort, the effect of sleep quality on PVS volume fraction was mediated by BMI. However, BMI did not influence this effect in the older cohort. Furthermore, there are significant differences in PVS volume fraction across racial/ethnic cohorts. In summary, the effect of sleep on the PVS volume alteration was different in the middle-aged adults and older adults.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether social support from extended family and church members moderate the association between chronic stress exposure and sleep quality in a nationally representative sample of African American adults. Data from African American respondents aged 18 and older were drawn from the National Survey of American Life-Reinterview. The analytic sample for this study included 1,372 African American adults who attended religious services at least a few times a year, as the church-based relationship measures were only assessed for these individuals. Self-reported sleep quality was assessed by sleep satisfaction, trouble falling asleep, and restless sleep. Chronic stress exposure was measured by a nine-item index. OLS and logistic regression were used to estimate the relationship between chronic stress exposure, extended family and church relationships, and sleep quality. The data indicated that chronic stress exposure was associated with decreased sleep satisfaction, increased likelihood of trouble falling asleep and restless sleep. Receiving emotional support from family and more frequent contact with church members were associated with decreased restless sleep. Emotional family support moderated the associations between chronic stress exposure and trouble falling asleep and restless sleep. The positive associations between chronic stress exposure and these two sleep quality measures were attenuated among respondents who received high levels of emotional support from their family. Together, these findings underscore the detriment of chronic stress exposure to African Americans' sleep quality and suggest that extended family members are effective stress coping resources and play an important role in this population's sleep quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African American men in the US experience disparities across multiple health outcomes. A common mechanism underlying premature declines in health may be accelerated biological aging, as reflected by leukocyte telomere length (LTL). Racial discrimination, a qualitatively unique source of social stress reported by African American men, in tandem with poor mental health, may negatively impact LTL in this population. The current study examined cross-sectional associations between LTL, self-reported racial discrimination, and symptoms of depression and anxiety among 92 African American men 30-50 years of age. LTL was measured in kilobase pairs using quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. Controlling for sociodemographic factors, greater anxiety symptoms were associated with shorter LTL (b=-0.029, standard error [SE]=0.014; p

The current study examined the prevalence of lifetime family violence among older women (N = 525) and the influence of family violence on depression using data from a national survey in South Korea. The major findings were that 49.3 % of respondents had been victimized from lifetime family violence, the prevalence of childhood maltreatment was 37.1 % and intimate partner violence was 23.4 %. Approximately, 55 % of participants had clinical depression, which was significantly associated with reported experiences of family violence. The findings suggest that family violence and depression are common social problems and that individualized intervention for older women in South Korea is needed., Author(s): Seok In Nam [sup.1] , Karen D. Lincoln [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) 0000 0004 0470 5454grid.15444.30School of Social Welfare, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, 03722, Seoul, South Korea (2) [...]

Studies suggest Black Americans have a lower prevalence of depression than White Americans despite greater exposure to risk factors for depression across the life course. We examined whether this paradox exists among students in higher education, and whether the paradox may be partly explained by racial differences in reports of impairment from depression, which is a required criterion for clinical diagnosis. We analyzed data from the Healthy Minds Study (2020–2021), restricting the sample to young adults (18–29) who identified as either Black or White. Using modified Poisson regression models to estimate risk ratios, we examined associations between race and depression impairment across five levels of depression severity, adjusting for age and gender. Approximately 23% of Black students reported depression impairment, which is significantly lower than the 28% of White students who reported depression impairment. For all students, greater depression severity was associated with greater probability of impairment; however, the relationship was more modest among Black students. At severe, moderately severe, and moderate depression levels, Black students had lower risk of depression impairment compared with White students. White students may be more likely than Black students to report significant impairment at high levels of depression. These findings open the possibility that racial differences in the impairment criterion of clinical diagnoses may explain some the racial depression paradox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the demographic correlates of depressive symptoms, serious psychological distress (SPD), and major depressive disorder (MDD; 12-month and lifetime prevalence) among a national sample of African American men. Analysis of the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) data set provides first-time substantiation of important demographic differences in depressive symptoms (measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale [CES-D]), SPD (measured by the K6), and 12-month and lifetime MDD among African American men. Findings illuminate the heterogeneity within the African American male population. Findings also demonstrate the need for additional research focusing on within-group differences and a comprehensive research and mental health promotion agenda that recognizes the importance of improving access to education and employment and promoting healthy coping behaviors, while acknowledging the larger social context in which African American men live. (Contains 3 tables.)

This study examines relationships among financial strain, unfair treatment, and martial satisfaction among African Americans. Using data from the National Survey of American Life, findings indicated that social stressors that occur inside of the home (i.e., financial strain) as well as those experienced outside of the home (i.e., unfair treatment) have negative consequences for marital quality and psychological distress. Furthermore, the combination of experiencing unfair treatment and financial strain has particularly deleterious mental health consequences for married African Americans. Results also highlight the protective effect of marital satisfaction on psychological distress as well as its potential to buffer the negative effects of unfair treatment and financial strain on psychological distress. Implications for policy to improve marital quality and promote the mental health of African Americans are discussed. (Contains 3 tables and 4 figures.)

This study examines the correlates of marital satisfaction using data from a national probability sample of African Americans (N = 962) and Black Caribbeans (N = 560). Findings reveal differences between African Americans and Black Caribbeans, and men and women within those groups, in the predictors of marital satisfaction. Black Caribbean women reported overall higher levels of marital satisfaction than African American women. The findings amply demonstrate the significance of ethnic diversity within the Black population in the United States. Difficulties with finances (budgeting, credit issues, and debt management) are one of the key issues that generate conflict in marriages; stress generated as a result of financial problems can lower marital satisfaction. Because these issues are salient for couples at any given time in the family life cycle, counseling at critical points in the marriage (birth of children, launching of children from home, and retirement) may be helpful.

This study investigated the correlates of relationship satisfaction, marriage expectations, and relationship longevity among unmarried African American and Black Caribbean (Caribbean Black) adults who are in a romantic relationship. The study used data from the National Survey of American Life, a national representative sample of African Americans and Caribbean Blacks in the United States. The findings indicated that the correlates of relationship satisfaction, expectations of marriage, and relationship longevity were different for African Americans and Black Caribbeans. For Black Caribbeans, indicators of socioeconomic status were particularly important correlates of relationship satisfaction. For African Americans, indicators of parental status were important for relationship longevity. Policy and practice implications for nonmarital unions are discussed.

This study proposed and tested a model of informal church support networks among African Americans. Consistent with research in family relations, age and gender were significantly associated with the frequency of interaction with church members. In addition, the degree of subjective closeness and the frequency of interaction were both significantly associated with the frequency of receiving support from church members, suggesting that conceptualizations of family solidarity may extend to church networks. Practice implications emphasize the importance of recognizing church members as integral members of the informal networks of African Americans.

This study examines the association between race and depressive symptoms over a 16-year study period. The analysis is based on the responses of 3,485 African-American and White respondents from four waves of the Americans' Changing Lives Panel Study. Growth mixture modeling was used to identify latent trajectory classes based on the reported levels of depressive symptoms over 16 years. Four latent trajectory classes were identified: two 'high-risk' groups and two 'low-risk' groups. Findings show the heterogeneity among and within racial groups in their trajectories of depressive symptoms and the distinct demographic and social relationship predictors for symptom trajectories. DOI: 10.1080/19485561003709180

A study to explore, the impact of financial strain, social support, and negative interactions on depressive symptoms among older African Americans and the role of mastery as a mediator in the associations, is presented. Findings reveal mechanistic pathways that relate financial strain with depressive symptoms and suggest that mastery is an important link between negative interactions and mental health.

Latent profile analysis was used to summarize profiles of depressive symptoms among a nationally representative sample of US-born and Caribbean-born Blacks. Analyses are based on the responses of 4915 African Americans and Caribbean Blacks from the National Survey of American Life. A high symptoms and a low symptoms class were identified. Age, gender, negative interaction within the individual's social network (e.g., conflict, demands, criticism) and racial discrimination were associated with depressive symptoms in the low symptoms class, whereas socioeconomic status, gender, emotional support and negative interaction were associated with depressive symptoms in the high symptoms class. The findings demonstrate the heterogeneity within the Black population in the USA and the distinct sociodemographic, family network and stress correlates of depressive symptoms for each latent class. Keywords: Mental health; Depressive symptoms; Race; Socioeconomic status; USA; Caribbean; African American

Objectives. The study investigates the social and demographic, personality and social contact correlates of emotional support and negative interaction among older Black Americans. Methods. The present analyses are based on the responses of 519 older African American respondents (55-96 years old) from the Americans' Changing Lives Survey. Structural equation modeling (e.g., LISREL) was used to estimate the direct and indirect effects of sociodemographic variables (i.e., age, gender, education, income, marital status, and presence of children), social contact factors (i,e., frequency of face-to-face and telephone contact), and personality (i.e., extraversion and neuroticism) on emotional support and negative interaction with relatives and friends. Results. Gender, marital status, and extraversion were significantly associated with emotional support. Age, education, marital status, having a child, and neuroticism were identified as correlates of negative interaction. Discussion. The majority of older Black adults in this sample participated in emotionally supportive relations with relatives and friends, whereas negative social interactions were reported with less frequency. The distinctive group of predictors explaining emotional support and negative interaction suggests that they are different social occurrences. This analysis particularly underscores the role of personality factors in these processes.