Race Differences in the Effect of Subjective Social Status on Hostility and Depressive Symptoms Among 9- to 11-Year-Old
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Race Differences in the Effect of Subjective Social Status on Hostility and Depressive Symptoms Among 9- to 11-Year-Old Children Ivan E. Castro 1 & Bryce Hruska 1 & Brooks B. Gump 1 Received: 23 October 2019 / Revised: 10 January 2020 / Accepted: 21 January 2020 # W. Montague Cobb-NMA Health Institute 2020
Abstract Purpose Research shows that subjective social status (SSS) is a salient determinant of health. However, there is little research on SSS-related group differences on psychosocial outcomes among children. The purpose of the current study was to determine if associations between psychosocial functioning and SSS in children varied as a function of racial groups. Methods We used a series of regression models to examine associations between SSS and measures of hostility and depressive symptom severity in groups of Black and White children. All analyses controlled for objective markers of family- and neighborhood-level socioeconomic status. Participants included 291 school-age children in Syracuse, NY. Results Among Black children, SSS was negatively associated with hostility scores, R2 = 0.10, F(6, 160) = 3.34, p = 0.006, but not depressive symptom severity. Conversely, among White children, SSS was negatively associated with depressive symptom severity, R2 = 0.18, F(6, 117) = 4.37, p = 0.001, but not hostility. Conclusion These racial differences in SSS-associated psychosocial functioning could be explained by race-based differences in attributions of social mobility and socioeconomic inequalities. Findings provide support for investigating possible tailoring of behavioral interventions to assist children in developing high SSS or coping with low SSS. Keywords Subjective social status . Psychosocial functioning . Depressive symptoms . Hostility
Subjective social status (SSS) refers to one’s perception about their position in society when compared to others. SSS has noteworthy associations with health outcomes, independent of objective socioeconomic status [1, 2]. A meta-analysis supports significant associations between SSS and markers of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and self-rated health in adults [3]. Among adolescents, higher SSS is associated with lower symptoms of depression and a lower likelihood of being overweight or obese [4, 5]. While those with high SSS tend to have better health outcomes later in life, independent of objective socioeconomic markers [6–9], determinants of SSS are not fully understood and appear to vary by race [10]. Additionally, when studying outcomes attributed to SSS across racial groups, research shows that these outcomes tend to vary by race. For example, results show ethnic differences among pregnant women’s self-rated health, with SSS being a significant predictor of self-rated health, beyond the
* Brooks B. Gump [email protected] 1
Department of Public Health, Falk College, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
effects of objective indicators, among White and Chinese American women, but having no effect among Black and Hispanic women [11]. Likewise,
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