The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67744

Lia Fernald, PhD, Center for Health Research, IBER, University of California, Berkeley, F502 Haas Building, MC1922, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-1922, (415) 577-5423, fernald@haas.berkeley.edu, Paul J. Gertler, PhD, Haas School of Business and School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Haas Building, Berkeley, CA 94720, and Nancy E. Adler, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, 3333 California Street, Suite 456, San Francisco, CA 94118.

Children and adults living with low socio-economic status (SES) experience a variety of health disadvantages. Considerable evidence in the animal literature suggests that early conditions of adversity shape reactivity/regulation of stress-sensitive systems and influence health and behavioral outcomes. Thus, in the research described here, we explore how SES relates to baseline and responsive stress hormone levels in children and their mothers in a rural, low income setting. We also examine how this stress system function may be mediated my maternal and socio-environmental characteristics. We assessed a sample of families who are part of Mexican intervention (PROGRESA) designed to improve the economic conditions of its participants. We evaluated children (3-8 y.o.) and their mothers during the baseline evaluation of the intervention in n=2500 households in rural areas. We collected three samples of saliva to assess baseline and reactive salivary cortisol and three measurements of heart rate and blood pressure from all female heads of households. We also designed and administered a questionnaire to all women, which included several measures of mental health. Three saliva samples and pulse readings were obtained from each child within the household. In the analysis of data, we intend to look at maternal and child baseline and response levels of cortisol, heart rate and blood pressure. Using multi-linear regressions, we will predict physiological levels from several independent variables. Even in this low income sample, we hypothesize that variations in SES will be related to biological indicators of stress, as well as to school achievement and mental health.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to:
• Describe the association between stress levels and mental health in rural Mexican women.
• Recognize the complex interrelationships among stress system activity and mental health outcomes in women and their children.
• Link critical Mexican public health issues with issues facing Mexican-American populations living in the United States.

Keywords: Stress, Poverty

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.