225918 Coping strategies of the Jackson Heart Study

Monday, November 8, 2010

Clifton C. Addison, PhD , Jackson Heart Study/Project Health, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Brenda W. Jenkins, MPH, PhD , Jackson Heart Study/Project Health, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Daniel Sarpong, PhD , Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Monique S. White, MPH , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Gregory Wilson, MA , Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State Univerisity, Jackson, MS
Darlene Thurston, PhD , School of Education, Jackson State Univerisity, Jackson, MS
Background: Two general coping strategies have been noted: problem-solving strategies which represent efforts to do something active to alleviate stressful circumstances, and emotion-focused coping strategies that involve efforts to regulate the emotional consequences of stressful or potentially stressful events. Research indicates that people use both types of strategies to combat most stressful events. The purpose of the study was to investigate coping behaviors among African American participants in the Jackson Heart Study to identify associations between self-reported coping strategies and self-reported cardiovascular disease (CVD) status, such as heart attacks, stroke symptoms, kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol. Methods: Structured interviews were conducted through the use of the CSI-SF with 5302 African Americans participating in the Jackson Heart Study. The CSI-SF is believed to adequately measure coping behaviors of African-Americans. Pearson r correlation analyses were conducted using the participants' coping strategies. Multiple regression analysis was computed to examine the degree of the relationship of the variables and the predictability potential. Results: Physical health outcomes are improved with an active compared to avoidant coping strategy. Active coping with disease was associated with fewer recurrences and longer survival rate. Avoidance coping was associated with more disease occurrences. Discussion: Behavioral and self-management practices can influence health status. By adequately addressing an individual's ability to cope with psychological distress, medical personnel can assist individuals to develop strategies/practices for improving health outcomes

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Environmental health sciences
Epidemiology

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the coping skills of African American in the Jackson Heart Study 2. Evaluate the relationship between risk factors and coping strategies among African American.

Keywords: African American, Chronic (CVD)

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have completed research and have been involved in research many years. I am an investigator with the Jackson Heart Study
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.