Influence of daily hassles on momentary variations in positive and negative affect in African American women

Purpose. Affect, both positive and negative, have been linked with physical and mental health outcomes. Daily hassles may have disruptive effects on affect. This study describes the impact of different types of daily hassles on the positive and negative affect experienced throughout the day in African-American women. Methods. 101 African-American women ages 25-65 in metropolitan Chicago participated in the study. Using ecological momentary assessment, women were signaled once during five blocks of time daily for seven days to complete a web-based survey via smartphones (n=35 signals). At each signal, positive affect (6 items), negative affect (12 items), stressful social interaction (interpersonal hassles; 12 items), and stressful events (9 other daily hassles) were measured. Multilevel logistic regression (level-1=occasion; level-2= person) was used to estimate relationships between dichotomized affect and daily hassles controlling for demographics. Results. Women completed 69% of the 35 surveys (S.D. =24.5%) on average, and reported experiencing a stressful event and a stressful social interaction 18% and 11% of the time signaled, respectfully. Experiencing a stressful social interaction and stressful event were associated with a decreased odds of positive affect (OR=0.48, 0.30, respectfully) and an increased odds of negative affect (OR=2.32, 6.00, respectfully). Relationships differed by hassle type. Interpersonal daily hassles (e.g., children, supervisors) had the strongest relationships with positive affect. However, work and unfair treatment-related hassles had the strongest relationships with negative affect. Conclusions. Findings underscore the importance of individual-level stress management interventions that address emotional regulation and public and institutional policies to address structural racism.